Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Do the unions have a means to do so? I have learned a lot in the short time I have been sitting here about the extent to which the unions can represent their members. Is that something it can ballot for industrial action over? In another part of the public service - I worked in DIT, now TU Dublin, for 22 years - if I was asked to do the work of another lecturer without getting paid, I would refuse to do it. Are there any means by which this practice can be challenged? A number of years ago, there was a flagship fashion show on RTÉ and it emerged that the male and female presenter, who were both high profile people, were being paid different amounts. Those presenters took action themselves to ensure they were both paid the same amount. Do the unions have any means to pursue this?

It is an absolute fundamental principle of work, particularly work that is funded by the Exchequer, that there is equal pay. Is there any remedy at members’ disposal? Can members say they cannot do something because they are not being paid the proper amount? Can they take industrial action or ballot for industrial action on that?