Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

During the national economic dialogue, the Taoiseach said that Ireland's economic fundamentals remain strong and for the first time in seven years we are on track when it comes to poverty, deprivation and inequality. He should have added - in brackets - except for teachers, nurses, doctors, soldiers and people who work in this House, those employed by the public sector who will not have pay equality restored until 2022 at the earliest. By 30 June, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, is obliged, under legislation, to bring a report before this House - that means he will have to have it to us by tomorrow - indicating and justifying how and why he continues to use financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation as a big sword over the public sector to justify pay inequality. Anyone who steps out of line under FEMPI will not receive any pay increases. Given the Taoiseach's at the national economic dialogue, it is a total farce that this legislation continues to be used to penalise the public sector, which gave the most to facilitate the recovery. Will the Taoiseach please justify that and indicate when the FEMPI legislation will be before the House?

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