Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

As a general point, many of these workers were in the Public Gallery yesterday watching the debate, and the Government line, which is the usual Government line, suggested it has nothing to do with the issue. The Minister stated he wants to resolve the dispute without interference from the Government and so on, but that is as though the Government is not a party to the dispute. The Government, fundamentally, is these people's employer and I do not accept the idea it needs to take a hands-off approach. It can resolve this with a clear statement about pay equality and by finding the funds for it.

The Minister responded to Deputy Boyd Barrett yesterday by highlighting a line in the countermotion relating to “insufficient funds”, which I accept. Does he accept that any resolution of this dispute will have to be agreed outside the framework of Building Momentum, for example?

Finally, why has the MLSA not been invited to participate in the Dr. Colm Henry review?

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