Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach is gaining a reputation for having a hard edge to his tongue. Supporting workers' rights is interpreted by him as, "Not honest politics". Within 12 months, Deputies and Ministers will have grand increases in wages - €10,000 for Deputies and €15,000 for Ministers - yet the Taoiseach lectures rail workers because they are seeking a reasonable pay increase, which they have not received for ten years.

I understand that the Cabinet met this morning. Was the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, at the Cabinet meeting? Did he mention this issue? This is a rail strike. Thousands of people have been discommoded today. Was it mentioned, even informally at the side of the meeting? Was it on the agenda? Some common sense is required here. The Taoiseach has recently spoken about removing the right of workers to strike and to ban them from standing up for their rights. Instead of that type of right-wing rhetoric, perhaps he should appreciate that the rail workers demands are very reasonable. The Government should make it clear that the ten year pay freeze should be ended, and the Taoiseach should take the opportunity to signal that now. He should remember that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, is the main stakeholder. He is supposed to act in the best interests of the public. Will the Taoiseach commit to doing this?

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