Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I encouraged the Taoiseach to engage in urgent dialogue with public sector workers and their representatives, but he declined. Yesterday also saw the announcement by the private sector committee of the ICTU that it is seeking a 4% increase in wages in the private sector. I presume that the Taoiseach will be dismissive of that also. It is easy for us. We are well protected from economic difficulties. However, the issue of pay for workers who have suffered the brunt of the Government's policies is now front and centre and is not going away. I urge the Taoiseach, again, to enter into dialogue to address the very real issues affecting workers in the public and private sectors. What comes out of those negotiations is another matter, but refusing to engage is only making the problem worse. It does not make sense.

This morning, I wondered to myself if the Taoiseach ever asks himself why workers are seeking wage increases. Does the Taoiseach ever ask himself that question? Does he think they are being greedy or self-serving? Does he think they are trying to keep the recovery going? Perhaps the Taoiseach thinks it is because hundreds of thousands of citizens are in dire straits.

There is a cost of living crisis crippling families in the context of rents, mortgages, insurance, child care fees, student fees and medical bills. People are justifiably seeking the restoration of wages so they can pay their bills. That is not unreasonable, yet the Government's position is that there will be no increase in pay despite the cost of living going through the ceiling, for those who are lucky enough to have a ceiling. It is not tenable. Ultimately, it will lead to industrial action and that will mean more school closures and emergency departments without doctors. Today, 528 citizens of this State are on trolleys in hospitals. It will mean unrest in the private sector as well as in the public sector. Not only does the Taoiseach need to get round the table with the unions, he needs to deal with the cost of living crisis.

Chief among the difficulties people face is the cost of spiralling rents. The average monthly rent is now almost €1,100. In Dublin, people are paying an average of €1,500 per month. That means low and middle-income families renting homes are paying between 40% and 60% of their incomes on rent. That includes those who have children in student accommodation. It is not fair. The Taoiseach is bound to know that, yet he and Fianna Fáil have consistently refused to tackle it and stop these outrageous rent increases. The Taoiseach is failing these citizens. In recent months, the Government and Fianna Fáil have twice voted against Sinn Féin rent certainty proposals. Rent certainty would put a break on the unaffordable rent increases that thousands of families and people are facing. My question is very straightforward. Will the Taoiseach commit to introducing rent certainty linked to the consumer price index without delay?

See this speech in context