Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely agree the Minister should not even consider using a blunt axe in respect of increments for the very reason he states. The lower ranks, for example, clerical officers, have 13 pay points whereas Secretaries General of Departments have a single pay point - these are the extremes within the system.

This question brings us to the heart of the equity issue I raised earlier with the Minister. If legislation is needed, as he says, he should bring that legislation forward. I am frustrated at hearing continually an argument as to why the upper reaches cannot be touched, whether in respect of pensions or of these increments. The equitable and proportionate thing to do, where one has to make savings in the national economic interest, is to target them at exactly that cohort of people. Rather than making excuses, taking fright or perhaps being captive to the advice of some of his own senior civil servants on these matters, he should grasp the nettle. This will not solve the entire economic problem but it could prevent, for example, the €8 million in cuts to home help and home care packages, which is a worthy thing to do.

See this speech in context