Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

It only deals with medium-sized industries and so on. My profession was not represented at the talks and I take great umbrage at the fact a body claimed to speak on my behalf when it did not.

I am delighted the public sector is booming but we need to debate the fact that those working in that sector are much better off than those working in the private sector. Small retail businesses do not offer the same returns as they did in the past because Tesco and Dunnes Store have arrived, which is welcome. However, people working for me have been doing so for 20 to 30 years but I cannot give them the same remuneration they would get if they worked in the health board or as a secretary in the public sector nor can I give them the same holidays. That issue must be addressed. I cannot give them the same holidays but thankfully they are very loyal and do not look for sick pay — normally they are not sick — holiday pay or the same pensions. These people are prepared to work twice as hard yet, as an employer, I cannot give them the same attention as if they were working in the public sector. We need a debate on this matter.

Accountants, solicitors and computer company managers are now looking to the public sector because they know the benefits that exist there in terms of productivity. Who is drawing up these agreements? We all have a role. As a politician I will get my increase in pay but those who decide that politicians will get such increases are the people who are giving increases to themselves. Things are going well economically and I do not like to be a spoilsport but when there is a downturn will these people be willing to take a loss in wages or will we get benchmarking? I think not. We may discuss such matters in the context of social partnership, whether in the private or public sectors, but there is a lot of nodding and winking going on. Many people are in there fighting on behalf of their sectors and they have done a good job in taking care of their own areas.

However, I sound a note of caution that there is a serious issue coming down the line. If this country suffers a reaction to markets we will then have huge problems with an over-staffed and privileged public sector with all the trappings that go with it. Those working in the private sector cannot attain the same wages, privileges or pensions as those in the public sector. There is a growing disparity which needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. I call on the social partnership to acknowledge there is a problem by addressing those serious issues.