Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I wish to comment on the section and that particular aspect of it. If there was no Landsdowne Road agreement, this provision would expire and the Minister's capacity under this legislation to withhold increments would not exist. That was the basis under which certain trade unions took the view that the road to the restoration of pay and conditions was not to sign up to a deal which would extend or continue those constraints. They were right to adopt that position and the Minister is wrong to continue with them. We have already dealt with the issue of pay but on the issue of increments, what is the justification for the Minister having the power to withhold them from anybody? That is my question because I do not believe there is any justification for that.

The Minister has put his argument as to why he cannot give full pay restoration. I do not accept his argument but we have already had that debate. Will he explain why, in addition to not giving full pay restoration, he also believes it is acceptable and legitimate to withhold increments if workers do not agree with him and to hold that over them, effectively, as a threat?