Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Yet again the Minister is trying to implement a separate set of conditions for those not covered by the pay deal. It seems that the intention is to punish those unions which rejected the pay agreement. Whatever about having slower pay restoration for the unions that rejected the deal, it is simply unacceptable that they be further punished by applying a brake to increments and what is proposed in the section which will ensure their pension contributions will be payable at a lower threshold than those covered by the pay deal.

It is important to point out that the three teacher unions that voted against the pay agreement did not do so because they wanted more money. They voted against it because they wanted a fair deal for their new entrant colleagues. As long as that remains the position and that unfairness for new entrants continues, as a result of this legislation, teachers will become more and more aggrieved about the way they have been treated and punished because of their democratic decision.

The Social Democrats oppose section 33 in its entirety, as it will introduce less favourable additional superannuation contributions in 2019 and 2020 for public servants who are not covered by the pay deal compared to those who are. We propose that the same charging structure for public servants who are covered by the pay deal, as outlined in section 32, apply to all public servants. We also propose the deletion of section 32(1)(c) to clarify that all public servants would be covered by the same charging structure. Unfortunately, that amendment has been ruled out of order. We vehemently oppose section 21.

See this speech in context