Picket line dilemma forces cancellation of Dáil sitting
This week's strike action by 300,000 public sector workers will also affect the work of politicians.
A one-day strike by 300,000 public sector workers will impact the Dáil's operations. The Leinster House staff, integral to Dáil functioning, are affected by the ongoing industrial action. Opposition politicians declared they wouldn't cross picket lines outside Leinster House. The Government insisted on scheduling business, despite the pending strikes.
Labour Party whip Duncan Smith and Sinn Féin whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn stated they wouldn't pass the picket lines. All opposition parties supporting the strike vowed not to cross the picket line. The Government appealed for the Dáil to proceed as planned, but a derogation was denied. Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggested a derogation as a solution, but it wasn't forthcoming.
A showdown was imminent, with the possibility of an additional Friday sitting, which was later shelved. The Dáil Business Committee agreed on reduced sitting days, with votes on Tuesday. Opposition TDs criticized the Government's initial condescending stance on the picket lines, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary democracy.
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