Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree. It makes me a bit nervy, given that previous Governments have reduced sick pay entitlements for civil and public servants. I am not going to get into it, but that was done and there were all the reasons in the world given for it. I think it was Deputy Howlin at the time who said it would improve productivity, but it did not. I am concerned, given there is form on this, that it could happen. I do not believe that is the intention and I take the Tánaiste's bona fides that this is a very positive step. We have all welcomed it, but there would be no harm to put that little floor in so that when progress is made, at the very least there would have to be a change in the law and that would require a debate in here. There would be no harm in that.

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