Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

How can the Taoiseach justify the decision to exempt top civil servants from the full effect of the pay cuts through 2009 and into 2010 while, at the same time, those on lower to medium-income levels are being punished severely? Is it a case that the closer one is to the Minister the less one will suffer and that, therefore, an ordinary clerical worker in the Civil Service is out of sight and out of mind? These are the questions that people are asking in all our constituencies at this time. There is huge anger at the Government's position on this matter.

Following the savage budget cuts to wages, social welfare and public services there were immediate calls from some in business for a reduction in the minimum wage. That is exactly what we predicted would happen. We predicted that following the savage cuts in public service and sector incomes there would be those who would seek to have the same or comparable measures applied to those employed in the private sector. Will the Taoiseach use this opportunity to once and for all put to bed any notion that there will be any diminution or reduction in the minimum wage arrangements that apply in this economy? Will he avail of this opportunity in the Chamber to make it absolutely clear that there will be no further attacks on those who are already struggling to make ends meet at lower income levels?

Last week, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Dara Calleary, stated that he intends to allow employers to apply to the Labour Court for an exemption from the requirements of the employment regulation orders and registered employment agreements. These orders and agreements have existed for decades to protect workers from exploitation and to ensure that agreed minimum rates of pay apply in their respective sectors. They protect workers in a range of areas-----

See this speech in context