James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

It is not true to say the embargo is failing. The Deputy is right to point out the additional costs that agency staff incur. The agency staff directive, which insists that they be given the same terms and conditions as permanent staff, equally indicates that the base rate for agency staff will have to fall. The reason they were paid more was because they did not have the same rights. They cannot have it both ways.

See this speech in context