SIPTU transport rift widens as Ahern backs Harney stance

THE rift between the Government and SIPTU over Tánaiste Mary Harney’s controversial weekend remarks on transport reform moved no closer to being resolved yesterday.

Speaking in the Dáil, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern while saying he understood the reaction of the country's biggest union to Ms Harney's views at the same time strongly backed her assertion that the break up of Aer Rianta and the liberalisation of bus routes were part of the agreed programme for government.

SIPTU had been particularly exercised by the fact that the Tánaiste made no mention of the rights of workers in Aer Rianta or in Dublin Bus during the course of the comments.

When asked for her response to the SIPTU reaction, Ms Harney did not retreat from her position, reiterating what she had said at the weekend.

"We all have to embrace change and nowhere is change more needed than in the transport sector."

Her spokesman later pointed out she had supported social partnership on the record during the PD conference.

It was included in the scripted version of her leader's address but did not form part of the speech she actually delivered from the podium.

The Taoiseach yesterday reiterated the principles for partnership that he had set out at the outset of Sustaining Progress.

He also said in the past fortnight that information would be conveyed to the unions, and appropriate time for consideration would be given to taking a decision on Aer Rianta and public transport.

However, the Government's stance was harshly criticised in the Dáil by Sinn Fein's Caoimhghín O Caoláin.

"Does the Taoiseach agree that the very last thing we need in public transport is its opening up to plunder by privateers who will cherry pick the best routes?" he asked.