Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The unions have never been backwards in wanting to engage with the Government on this. The Government is not meeting the basic asks these workers require. However, we are where we are. We do not yet have the results but we know there will be a mandate for industrial action, up to and including an all-out strike. If that happens, it will be a hammer blow to communities. The difference in this case is that the families involved, and even the management of the 39 organisations, support the workers and their call. Everyone in the community is behind them because people know they provide a vital service to their service users. We have been speaking about this issue now since I was elected to the Dáil more than three years ago. Unfortunately, this campaign does not seem to be registering with the Government. We need reform of the sector and proper pay for the workers in it. Otherwise, the bottom will fall out of the sector. If it does, it will spell disaster for the most vulnerable in our society.

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