Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will answer the Deputy's question. The choice is whether to accept the immediate benefits on offer and participate, with the other trade unions, in the further process of engagement or forgo these immediate benefits in favour of a very unpredictable future. It is for the ASTI leadership to explain its strategy in that respect. For the Government's part, as Deputy McDonald is aware, our approach to the budget was that we have a recovering economy with significant demands and we have to balance supporting those who are dependent on social welfare and taxpayers. If we did not have tax revenue, we would not be able to invest in services or implement the type of pay restoration that is under way.

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