Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Ross put his contribution in the context of what happened today in the Bank of Ireland. That was an important point to make when one considers the vast wealth and wages of a certain section of society and the relentless way the Government is going after ordinary workers who already gave a great deal to the economy.

When does no mean no to this Government? When will it understand that when people say "No", that is what they mean? This was a decisive rejection of the Government's attempt to take €1 billion out of the pockets of public sector workers. It was a decisive two to one rejection. Sixteen unions decisively voted "No" yet the Government is trying to say this was some sort of a mistake on the part of the workers and that it might be able to get them to vote again. It should accept the result and stop pretending it was due to a low turnout or that people were confused and therefore it should make them vote again. The workers were not confused. They were clear in what they were doing. Two weeks ago the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, said in this Chamber that he would take 7% out of their pay packets but workers in the public sector said, "We will not be turkeys voting for Christmas. If you want to take this money, come and get it. We will not hand it over to you easily". That was an insult to the intelligence of public sector workers who voted "No". They have already taken a 14% to 20% cut in pay because they know it is working people and the poor who have borne the brunt of the crisis. They know that the very wealthy and the elite have walked away scot free. The rich list report indicated that their wealth has increased by €3.6 billion up to €66 billion in the past year on the back of austerity, and the Government is still going after public sector workers. They know austerity is not working, and they know that taking money from low to moderate income families will cut demand and economic activity, which will affect jobs and result in losses. How many more reasons does the Government need? People are peeved. They have the universal social charge, the pension levy, the household tax, the property tax, water taxes, services are being affected etc. Enough is enough.

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