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

They are listening very carefully to all the contributions being made. There is an process ongoing at the moment. The amendment I am being asked to accept includes a report covering engagement the Minister has had with union representatives of political staff in respect of their pay claim. In fairness, that is not my role. It is not my role to engage directly with the unions. The commission is doing that work directly with SIPTU. The commission then, following that engagement and through the WRC, will make a proposal to me as Minister. It would not be helpful or appropriate for me as Minister to cut through and get directly involved before a negotiation is complete.

I acknowledge some of the points made earlier about the role itself and whether it needs to be reconsidered. Currently, the pay scale in question is analogous to the pay scale for clerical officers across the civil and public services. It is for the commission to come to a view on whether that is appropriate. Deputy Nash made the suggestion of a job evaluation, for example, and I am not going to advise the commission on how to do its work. It is a matter for the commission. I respect the commission's role. In essence, what we are providing for in the Bill are the enabling resources not just to run these Houses but also to provide support for Members and support for all our staff. I am satisfied there are adequate resources in the legislation, which we will hopefully pass in the coming days, to address this issue in an appropriate way.

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