Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of my colleagues for their contributions on this amendment and on Second Stage. I acknowledge the points they have all made about the role of our secretarial assistants. They do extraordinary work. In the 30 or 35 minutes we have been in the Chamber we can be sure that the phones in our offices have rung more than once, many e-mails have arrived into our inboxes, messages have been left on our social media platforms and our staff are working incredibly hard. I absolutely agree with what has been said by colleagues, that we could not do the work we do without their support and their dedication is immense. That is certainly my experience. I have been in this House for more than 14 years and have had the same secretarial assistant throughout that period. Her name is Linda and she is outstanding. I could not do the work I do without her support. I want to be upfront and clear about that.

The nature of the role has changed even in the time I have been in this House. It has become more complex and busier. The multifaceted nature of the issues that are coming at Deputies and our staff is striking. Our secretarial assistants have to deal with such a wide range of issues and with the people we have the privilege of representing, often at a very difficult time in their lives. We know from our own experience that whatever is going on out there in society will make its way into a Deputy's office. We have a good sense or handle on what is going on because of the interaction we have with our constituents, in many instances through our staff. I want to make it very clear that from where I stand and from the perspective of the Government, our staff and our secretarial assistants are valued. The issue has been raised directly with me by colleagues in government too and I want to acknowledge that.

In terms of where the matter stands right now and my role, it is important for me to set that out in response to Deputy Mairéad Farrell's comments. Under the 2003 Act, the commission must obtain the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform of the day before reaching an agreement with any person in relation to rates of pay, conditions of employment or superannuation rights. The Act is quite clear that my consent is required on the basis of what is proposed to me. A proposal is made and I either give my consent or I do not. Of course, I consult and engage with officials when it gets to that point. In practice, what this means is that the commission advises on matters relating to resourcing, grading and terms and conditions of employment and submits proposals to the Minister for consideration and agreement. In other words, the commission makes a proposal to me, as Minister, on issues such as grading, salary rates and so on and I then make a decision on that proposal having consulted with my officials. That is the point I made in the Seanad yesterday.

There is a process underway. I have not said "No" to any proposal. No proposal has been put to me as Minister that I have rejected. I want to be upfront with all of the Deputies in that regard. My understanding is that both the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and SIPTU have written to the WRC and are proposing a re-engagement at the WRC. That should happen and there should be engagement at the WRC at that point.

Deputy Nash made a very considered contribution on Second Stage and again today. He understands the role I have and the role I do not have. I agree that a political signal is important and I am happy to send such a signal. I want this issue resolved and it is important to put that on the record of the House today. I will work positively with my own officials on this and will ask them to engage with the commission in a positive frame of mind to ensure we can bring about a resolution to this issue as soon as we possibly can. That is where I stand on the substantive matter.

I am not going to accept amendments Nos. 3 or 4 because I do not think they are necessary or appropriate. A process is ongoing and we should allow that to take its course. This debate has been really helpful and it will add fresh impetus to the process. I hope the fact that we are discussing this on the floor of our national Parliament and that I, as Minister, have made the points I have made will be helpful. That is where I stand in relation to the issue. I want to see the parties, namely the commission and SIPTU, representing the workers, engaging intensively. My officials are available to support or assist in any way they can, while recognising our role under the Act.

Our role is to consider a proposal put to us and then for me, as the Minister, to make the final decision. It is very clear in the legislation that the commission should obtain the consent of the Minister. In other words, the commission does the negotiations. We are not directly involved in the negotiations but to support it in any way we can and then that proposal is put to me for decision as to whether to give consent or not. That is where the matter stands. On that basis, I do not believe we should amend the legislation. I do not believe it is necessary or appropriate given that it is an ongoing process. I have outlined where the matter stands and how I think it can be resolved. I restate my view and that of the Government that we do want this issue resolved.

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