Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We all agree that there has been an extraordinary degree of industrial peace given the years of austerity and the punishment people have taken in their take-home pay. It has been said before, but this dispute is not about people seeking a wage increase. It is about people being asked to reduce their take-home income, which is a significant ask of them where they have built up rights over the years.

There are not two sides in the dispute, but three. If there were two sides to the dispute, the Minister could justifiably state that the industrial relations mechanisms are available. As there are three sides to the dispute, however, Government involvement is required. I have previously stated that we have good industrial relations mechanisms and that is where this should occur. I am not seeking the Minister's direct intervention. However, it is absolutely ridiculous to think the dispute will be resolved without some Government intervention. There was Government intervention in the dispute with the Garda that was resolved and quite a sizable amount of money was involved. I wonder if it was that the Minister for Justice and Equality successfully argued at Cabinet for the additional €50 million.

The settlement of this dispute will not just involve savings that might be made. Has the Minister some indication that the magnitude of the savings would not impact on workers' take-home pay? Will the Minister answer that question first?