Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the very important and valuable work done by the staff of the Irish Wheelchair Association. As the Deputy will be aware, this association is a charity and not a Government body and the staff there are not Government employees. Even if we were to increase funding for the charity, there would not necessarily be a guarantee that the money would go to the staff by way of increased pay, although I imagine there could be an agreement around that. However, as is the case with any pay or industrial relations dispute, the Workplace Relations Commission, which is an office within my Department, will be happy to become involved if that can be helpful.

Finally, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, in respect of earlier events, we spent 35 minutes having the same vote twice. It was not necessary and shows that the Opposition’s concern about having an adequate time for legislation is not sincere.

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