Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Tom Fleming says when one sees the reduction in wages for highly qualified nursing staff I do not know how the Minister can stand over a further breach in a salary cap. The salaries that were on offer were considerable and I do not see the necessity to exceed them at a time when we are talking about fairness and equality. This is not sending out the right message. No one disagrees with the Minister and everyone will support her endeavours in reforming child protection measures with the establishment of the child and family support agency. That is not in question. How can the Minister stand over a breach in the salary cap that the Government imposed while at the same time cutting the salaries of those working at the lowest levels of the health service?

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