Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have gone a little off the topic. With regard to the amendment that has been ruled out of order, a report was done by Professor John FitzGerald at the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and published during the summer. It indicated, to be fair, that both the previous Fianna Fáil Government and this Government had through their fiscal options reduced income inequality over the course of the recession, covering the years from 2008 to 2012. If economic growth is returning, we can presume that salaries will increase, particularly for higher income personnel. If we are to keep an eye on this, will the Minister ensure that as salaries increase, there will be corresponding increases in social welfare so as not to increase the gap?