Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

What assurances can the Taoiseach give employees who are concerned that the entire value of the pay increase provided for in the new agreement will be wiped out by the effect of inflation? What is the Taoiseach's assessment of the worryingly high level of inflation now?

The Taoiseach told me before the break that there were 60 labour inspectors in place last year and that there would be 90 this year. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment told me in a reply to a parliamentary question the same day that there were only 31 inspectors. I wish to withdraw the remark——

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