Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government is in negotiations to extend the Croke Park agreement. I am sure the Taoiseach will agree with me that a fair and just outcome to the talks is essential. There is growing concern that the new agreement will target and impose a disproportionate burden on front-line workers who are rostered to work on a 24/7 basis. Approximately 80,000 workers are involved. They include gardaí, nurses, prison officers and emergency medical technicians - people who work through the night to protect their communities and streets and provide emergency and essential services. This is done in a 24-hour basis for 365 days per year.

The proposals at the talks suggest the workers face a pay cut of 10% plus, including through changes in their premium pay. In plain euro, this means a Garda with ten years' service will lose €200 per month, which is €50 per week. This is a very significant hit. A nurse on an average salary of €40,000 per year will face a cut of €320 per month. These amounts are excessive. One group will be taking an excessive hit by comparison with any another.

Coupled with this, morale is very low in the services. It is very low in the Garda, for example, and is at a tipping point. It is not I who is saying this; rather, the gardaí are saying it to every Deputy who bothers to meet them to talk. We are in dangerous territory here and the Taoiseach needs to be aware of that.

The health sector depends on 24/7 rosters, frameworks and structures. It cannot operate without such a framework. There are alternatives that should be pursued. A cut of €320 per month is too high for an individual, as is a cut of €200 per month. I appeal to the Taoiseach and those engaged in the talks not to sacrifice the health sector or the health service workers to get a deal over the line. Will the Taoiseach ensure that the outcome of the talks will not be the targeting of, or imposition of a disproportionate burden on, those on the front line who are rostered on a 24/7 basis.

See this speech in context