Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wanted that clarity.

I have met the witnesses' colleagues on many occasions. Richy Carrothers is a fine trade union representative from west Donegal. He has also briefed me on this. It did not take long because I support the aims of the campaign. I resisted, and campaigned and voted against it when it was introduced by the Fianna Fáil-led Government at the time. I made the point in 2011 that at a time when jobs were being lost and wages were being cut, trade union membership needed to be retained.

I have a slight disagreement with Mr. O'Connor. I believe the State has a responsibility to support trade union membership. I know he agrees with that. The argument is about the basis of equity. Trade unions are a movement for social good. I refer to the 2009 the Commission on Taxation report. This was the same commission that recommended the introduction of water charges. We defeated that one and hopefully we can get rid of this one as well. It did not actually suggest that there should not be an incentive for trade union membership. The argument it made was that the incentive was not working and that it was kind of mandatory to be part of a trade union. From a public policy point of view, support for trade union subscriptions should be justified and legislated for. I wholeheartedly support the campaign.

There was mention of the support across the trade union sector and from ICTU. Have the unions had indications of political support or has that not yet been formally offered? I do not believe that my party has written formally to the trade unions. Is this something that is building momentum?