Taoiseach suggests exempting Oireachtas staff from public sector strike action

Micheál Martin is not happy about the proposed industrial action.

Public servants have been on a work-to-rule since September 30.

Two strikes are set to go ahead in the coming weeks, including school closures, after talks broke down between major unions and the government over pay increases and cost of living.

This would include staff like ushers within the Oireachtas complex, which would mean TDs and other staff would have to cross a picket line to attend work.

"There can be derogations, and there doesn't need to be a picket," the Taoiseach said on Friday.

"There doesn't need to be a picket, and I'm saying to all concerned, parliamentary democracy matters, and we shouldn't be just lightly chipping away at it, because that could have unforeseen consequences into the future in different contexts and in different situations.

"Parliamentary democracy is not something we should take lightly, and I would be fundamentalist in those areas.

"It is the expression of the democratic will of the people in parliament. I think that matters, and that should be taken into consideration in respect of that, so I'm elected directly by the people to represent the people, to legislate for the people, and that's something I take very seriously."

Martin has been defending his handling of the situtation for weeks.

Martin told Newstalk’s Claire Byrne on Wednesday: “I just get the sense now that people want industrial action, irrespective of what happens.”

Phil Ní Sheaghdha of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization described Martin's comments during the week as "inflammatory".

Martin said he is "not an inflammatory person".

"Everyone needs to dial it down a bit, and I would ask Phil to look and listen to the entirety of what I said in the interview. And what I'm saying is this: I do not believe the basis exists for industrial action.

"I don't believe the public should have to endure that because there have been significant tax cuts in the budget, which will help workers. And in addition to that, we have provided 1.2 billion for public service pay in the estimates. Like, if that's not a platform for negotiations, I don't know what is.

"Let's get around the table and let's discuss, like we did at the last occasion and on the occasion before that, in good faith, a new public service pay agreement for the public service.

"This is a government that has been very supportive of the public service on a number of fronts. I do not genuinely believe that the basis exists for an industrial action, even in advance of talks."