Mr. Andy Pike:

We see this committee hearing and subsequent engagements as an opportunity to highlight one thing that probably goes a little bit wider than school secretaries and caretakers, which is that the way our industrial relations system is working at the moment, the people we negotiate with are not the decision-makers. We are concerned that no matter what senior members of the Government might say commitments can be ignored. We quoted Dr. Leo Varadkar a few minutes ago and we were extremely appreciative of the commitment he gave in the House back in 2020, but we are concerned that that commitment was simply ignored. It did not matter to those who control policy. They went their own way and said we were not even to discuss pensions. We are, therefore, concerned that no matter what political commitments we receive - and all support is welcome - our worry is the Department of public expenditure and reform will say "No". When we look at how it responds, it only responds to things like a strike. Secretaries and caretakers are the last group Fórsa would ever think would vote for a strike, but unfortunately that is the only language the Department of public expenditure seems to respond to. The determination of our members is demonstrated by the number who voted, with 98% voting in favour of going on strike, which is not something we see very often.