Micheál Martin: “Mr Martin also appreciates their view on the need for the commission's recommendation on the provision of a statutory…”

I was involved in these issues in the previous government and agreement was hammered out at that stage - an agreement was arrived at, and we want to do well by honouring that agreement on all sides.

What we're witnessing is growth in expenditure.

I believe that parliamentary democracy matters. People may criticise it and so on, but it's not a routine sort of service. It is the expression of the democratic will of the people in parliament. I think that matters, and that should be…

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.