Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The Government would like to get away from the core issue, which is pay equality. I do not think it can because that is central, but it would like to. For example, the question of increments is fine. Nobody has a problem with the idea that someone who has ten years experience should be paid more than someone with five years experience - that is not what we are talking about. However, some people with five years experience are getting a fair bit more than other people with five years experience or with ten years experience, and so on all the way up.

I was on a television show recently with the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, who said he was in favour of pay equality across the public sector, including for teachers, at some unspecified point in the future. Since then, other Government Ministers have expressly not given even that commitment. The fear we have is that this is part of the Government's plan into the future for the public sector, and teachers in particular. Deputy Bruton is the Minister for Education and Skills. Does he want to see a situation where teachers get equal pay for equal work, based on experience, or where pay inequality continues?

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