Oireachtas committee holds emergency meeting as public sector strike looms

An Oireachtas business committee is holding an emergency meeting on Saturday to amend the Dáil schedule ahead of a full day of public sector strike action planned for October 14, independent.ie and the Irish Examiner reported. According to the Journal, the Dáil sitting scheduled for Wednesday is expected to be moved because of the strike. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the Dáil is expected to cancel its Wednesday sitting as staff and other workers prepare to picket. [1][3][4][10]

More than 100,000 public sector workers across Ireland are set to take part in the industrial action on Wednesday, the Journal reported. According to the Irish Examiner, trade unions refused to grant Leinster House staff a derogation to continue working during the strike, despite a request from Taoiseach Michél Martin. The Journal reported that only about six or seven staff members would be available to work at Leinster House during the strike action. [2][3][4]

Taoiseach Michél Martin stated that the strike action is unnecessary and declined to say whether he would pass a picket line, according to the Journal. The same outlet reported that several political parties announced they will not cross the picket line at the Dáil next week. The Irish Examiner added that a draft schedule moves business requiring votes to Tuesday and Thursday instead. [2][3][4]

Leinster House is the seat of the Oireachtas, which is the parliament of Ireland. The building was originally the ducal palace of the Dukes of Leinster before it was acquired to serve as the permanent parliamentary home. [6][8]

The Business Committee is meeting at 2pm on Saturday to confirm next week's schedule and voting arrangements, according to the Irish Examiner and the Journal. [3][4]