Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a matter for the Business Committee if the House wishes to debate this report. In recent weeks, another report produced by an Oireachtas committee was debated in this House. If the Business Committee wishes to provide for a debate on this report, it is open to it to do so.

On the NHS and the 6.5% increase mentioned by Deputy Calleary, the agreement that we have is between 6% and 7%, with the majority of the benefit focused on new entrants and those at the lower end of the income scale. If the Deputy is suggesting that we should do more for a particular grade or group of workers within our public service, the issue that then arises is how we do that while remaining consistent with the maintenance of a collective wage agreement. I know from hearing the Deputy speak on this matter very knowledgeably over a number of years that he appreciates the need for a collective wage agreement and the need to maintain it.

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