Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is the reality. If Sinn Féin Members feel so strongly in their views in this matter, they should do the right thing. If Deputy Adams has conceded the principle that it is right that Ministers should forfeit that element of salary restoration, then that element of salary restoration he is due as a Deputy should be returned to the Exchequer. Given that he has now conceded that principle on the floor, I ask Sinn Féin Members to extend the same principle to the rest of the salary they currently do not accrue. That is the right thing to do. If Sinn Féin Members feel so strongly about their principles, they should implement them in a way that they have asked us to do.

I wish to comment more broadly on some of the other matters facing the House and the Government this evening regarding many of the claims about the status of the Lansdowne Road agreement. I emphasise the Government's absolute support for the Lansdowne Road agreement and for all those unions that are inside the Lansdowne Road agreement. I acknowledged earlier, as did the Taoiseach in response to questions from Deputies earlier in the House, that the ruling from the Labour Court last Thursday night regarding the resolution of matters facing An Garda Síochána was made by an independent body that has served the State very well in dealing with industrial relations challenges the country faces. The Government, of course, accepts the recommendation it has made.

I also acknowledge that this recommendation will have consequences. On foot of that, yesterday I began engaging with the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, which has made its views known. I met representatives from ICTU to reaffirm the Government's support for a collective agreement which is the Lansdowne Road agreement. More than ever, I wish to make it clear that the only way for the State to respond to the industrial relations challenges and the need for economic stability is in a collective and an overall manner. It is for this reason that the Government remains as committed as ever to the Lansdowne Road agreement and will be engaging with the parties to that agreement to ensure it is maintained. I do this in the context of the many risks and challenges we face from abroad and it is even more important that, in the context of Ireland's small and open economy, we have an ordered way in which we can plan our affairs. That is acknowledged in this motion.

I heard Sinn Féin speakers disparage a €5 increase in the different social welfare rates. This was the first increase in the rates since 2009 and it happened due to the change in our economy that Sinn Féin said would never happen. However, that change did happen. I acknowledge that a €5 contribution can make a difference to people but I also acknowledge that they need more and there are needs out there to which the Government and the Dáil-----

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