Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What we are seeing in the North as well is the fact there is no Assembly or government there. The public services there are under incredible strain across every sector, from local government to health. I came into politics through my membership of a trade union and I support the right of workers to defend their rights and pay and conditions. What we have been able to do in this country for many years is to ensure we get agreement on public sector pay. We have done that and we are in the middle of those negotiations right now. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, is leading that and I am confident we will be able to strike a deal that is good for workers and the public sector. We have more public servants working now than we ever had previously. This Government has invested in the public sector. We respect and value the work it does and I expect we will be able to work together to secure a pay deal that secures the agreement of employers and workers.

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