Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose to share time with Deputy Seamus Healy. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me to speak on this important debate on the public sector, the Croke Park agreement and the broader economy. I am not surprised by the rejection of the Croke Park II proposal. Most public servants I know are hopping mad because of the way they were treated by the Government. That is the harsh reality. Even moderate people are fuming because they have taken a major hit. Now, the Government wants them to take more in an economic climate where people's backs are to the wall.

Some of the comments and publicity I hear about public servants gets up my nose. Most of the Ministers, commentators and politicians would not last five minutes in an accident and emergency unit, in a disadvantaged school, or on duty on a Sunday morning stopping fighting and anti-social behaviour as part of ambulance or fire-fighter teams and being abused and attacked trying to help people in the wider world. That is the reality for many public servants. They are right to be angry and to make their views known.

Does the Government realise the difficulties the proposed changes to conditions of employment will have on many families? Does it realise the inconsistency of the treatment of different categories of public sector employees under the Government's proposals and the disproportionate impact the proposed measures would have had on the pay and earnings of front-line and shift workers? Is the Minister of State aware of the major sacrifices made by public sector employees and pensioners in recent years? Is she aware of the ongoing savings being delivered by the Croke Park agreement, the significant benefit to the economy and the need to ensure further reductions in the public sector pay and pensions bill occurs in a fair and structured manner? Is she aware of the importance of a shared commitment to reform by all stakeholders in the delivery of public services? Is she aware of the major negative impact for SMEs because of cuts and reductions? I support the motion in calling for the immediate engagement by the Government with public sector employees, confirmation that the Government will not legislate for a 7% cut in public sector pay, and full disclosure of all relevant facts prior to the conclusion of the new agreement on public sector pay.

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