Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Has the Taoiseach noted that the report of the benchmarking body published in January amounted to bad news for low-paid workers in the public service? Has he noted that the trade unions and others have pointed out that higher civil servants and the top echelons in State and semi-State bodies continued to be awarded high pay increases while lower paid workers were left behind? Is he aware that this process is continuing even though it has been highlighted several times?

We have a concerted onslaught on public service workers. The intention of some commentators is to lay the entire blame for all our economic woes on that sector when the reality is that the economic mess we are in is attributable to failed Government policies and the financial institutions' bad practices.

When the Taoiseach was Minister for Finance, the benchmarking body was one of his responsibilities. What role does he see that body playing now and in the future? Will he agree it should not be used in any way to erode pay in the public service, especially for low-paid workers?

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