Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is important to state that public sector workers did not cause this crisis. They have become a much maligned group. Their value, capacity and potential is not being realised because of the structures in which they have to work. I have been here for a number of years and my view is that the public servants will always respond to clear and decisive leadership and strong motivation. They have that capacity to deliver. Can the Taoiseach confirm that it is not the Government's intention to cut the pay of lower and middle income public sector workers?

I am aware of hospital rooms which are filled with equipment which may never be used because it was purchased on invoices for times ahead in order to spend money allocated in Votes. The same applies in a number of local authorities. The structure within which the public sector must operate cannot deliver.

Is it the Taoiseach's intention to spell out to social partnership how the Government proposes to re-start the economy by creating jobs and job opportunities? Where does Government lie in that regard? There is a range of activities, some published by Deputies Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney, which would create a stimulus to protect and generate jobs and get people back to work. Does the Taoiseach intend to spell out to the social partners the value of listening to what the Government has to say? What are the Government's job creation and job protection targets in the period ahead?

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