Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It has been broadly noted that the Taoiseach has indicated a broad welcome for the ten-point plan put forward by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. His statement was in the context of workers right across the board having voted for industrial action yesterday. That action was deferred because of the commencement of new talks, which are most welcome.

Will the Taoiseach be specific with regard to the elements within the ten-point plan where he sees the potential for real progress in the course of this engagement? It is broadly seen that the Taoiseach is making a pitch, most particularly to the trade union movement, and making the case that real progress can be made in negotiations. If that is the case, will the Taoiseach be specific in addressing the ten points put forward by ICTU and give us an idea of his thoughts? We can, for example, deal with four of them.

Will the Taoiseach ditch the so-called public service pension levy, which the ICTU has correctly described as crude and unfair? With regard to those who have been made unemployed as a result of the contraction in the labour market, is the Taoiseach prepared to guarantee incomes of 80% of salary in order to allow workers to participate in extensive training and upskilling? Will he introduce a three-year moratorium on house repossessions and replace all the bank executives who played a direct role in the collapse of the banking system in this jurisdiction?

What does the Taoiseach propose to do in the context of restoring the crucial pay elements that were negotiated as part of the social partnership agreement? He must have noted that significant numbers of private sector companies have already paid the first tranche of increases that were committed to as part of that agreement. However, the Government, the Construction Industry Federation and IBEC are rowing back in this regard and are refusing to pay the increases that are due. The ICTU has described what is taking place as a campaign against wages.

Will the Taoiseach indicate where he stands in respect of these four aspects of the ten-point plan, particularly if he remains of the view that they offer the merit he indicated when commenting on the plan on its initial publication? If not in respect of these matters, in which areas can progress be made?

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