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

They were particularly outraged at the weekend when the Minister for Health suggested that if they were not happy with the scheme they should emigrate or perhaps get a job in a fast-food restaurant. Perhaps those are the kinds of choices the Government envisages for young highly qualified people. The position of equal pay for work of equal value is fundamental in any profession or job and must be defended.

The Taoiseach is clearly not minded to defend it. I hope those in the Labour Party might take a different position. The Taoiseach studiously avoided the core question I put to him in regard to high pay. The Government can slash the terms and conditions of a graduate nurse but will protect its own back and excessive salaries.

See this speech in context