Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government is willing to provide much more time to debate the issue. I have no doubt there will be a vote in a minute so let me at least put forward our view. We are happy to provide more time tomorrow. We are happy to provide longer time. We are happy to provide as much time as it takes tomorrow night. I take the point that we do wish to take Committee and Remaining Stages together and on this we may have a difference of view.

The Minister, Deputy Humphreys has been keeping me apprised with regard to the NAS. I want to say very clearly that we understand and recognise the value of the very important work it does for people with disabilities. I understand following intervention - or perhaps consultation - with the Department of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and this is an important point, the board of the NAS and the Citizens Information Board, CIB, agreed to implement the Labour Court recommendation in order to address the pay divergences and ensure staff in the NAS are paid the same as comparable grades in the CIB umbrella companies.

I believe the only item remaining relates to the detail of which grades should be used as benchmarks. In the spirit of being constructive, I urge everyone to get back around the table. Let us reach an agreement, get this sorted, get these people the pay rise they are entitled to and get the services back up and running. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department have engaged on this. The Labour Court recommendation will be adhered to, but the benchmarking needs to be clarified. I hope people can engage on it quite quickly.

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