The Progressive Democrats' continued participation in the Government would be in question if it failed to liberalise bus routes and break up Aer Rianta, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, has said. Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent, reports from Killarney
The warning came following the conclusion of the Progressive Democrats' annual conference in Killarney, which heard repeated demands for major transport reforms.
Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday afternoon, the leader of the Progressive Democrats said: "The Programme for Government is very clear in relation to targets in this area.
"If we can't have those commitments implemented then we would have to ask ourselves why would we stay there? The reforms in transport are fairly central.
"They are unique commitments that we made in the general election. They were negotiated with our colleagues in Government and agreed to, and enthusiastically embraced by the line Minister, Séamus Brennan."
The Tánaiste's intervention was described as "very hostile" yesterday by one of the State's most influential union leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Her remarks are likely to feature during today's scheduled meeting between the Government and the social partners, which has been called to review the situation prior to more serious pay talks after Easter.
Since his appointment to the Cabinet, she said Mr Brennan had sought to open up Dublin Bus routes and have Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports operate independently. "And he has my total support," she said.
Asked if some Fianna Fáil ministers were wary of confrontation with unions, she said: "Sometimes people are nervous of change and, maybe, we only listen to the views expressed by those immediately affected.
"I think the Government in its entirety has signed up for these reforms. I have not heard anyone saying that we should not proceed with them.
"There are two ways to kill a reform agenda. One is not to act on it, or delay it, or get involved in endless discussions and consultation. Consultation cannot be a substitute for decision," she continued.
"The fact that you agree to consult with somebody does not in itself mean that you are going to reach agreement with the people that you consult with.
"We have to be honest enough to say that consultation does not necessarily mean that we are going to agree. Sometimes consultation has to be brought to an end and action has to be implemented."
The existing model governing Irish public transport was "invented in the 1920s and 1930s".
"We can't freeze our transport services in outdated, archaic models," said Ms Harney.
"Nobody is impressed by strikes, work stoppages, or threats of strikes, whether people wear uniforms, white coats or suits. We have got to embrace change," she said in her conference speech.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment added that social partnership continued to be of value to the State if all parties involved continued to accept the need for change.
"Social partnership can continue to be involved in the transformation of Ireland if it continues to be an agent of change, rather than a brake on change.
"If it becomes a brake on change, if we become concerned with the interests of a few rather than the public interest that is the day our social partnership will wither and cease to be effective," she said.
Expanding on this yesterday, she said: "What I am now saying is that the one threat would be if we were to become complacent, if we were to resist change.
"The one area where we need change most is in the State sector. We need to introduce competition. I strongly support what Séamus Brennan is seeking to implement," she said.
Describing SIPTU's decision to call off a strike due at Dublin Airport over the St Patrick's celebrations as "a brave move", she said: "I would like to see more of that.
"We need people who can stand up and see the big picture and deliver.
"I am not just talking about the trade union movement. I am also talking about the employers and, indeed, of Government itself."