Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The budget negotiations are under way and there is engagement with the various parties and stakeholders. As policymakers and politicians, we must recognise that over recent years there have been considerable reductions in the pay, salaries and conditions of many. Having said all that, today we see many of the public sector unions lining up and coming forward with their pay claims and pay restoration claims. It is important to state that while it is popular for politicians to support all of these increases, at the same time we, as politicians, are looking for enhanced resources in terms of public service provision. We need to be careful. It is a fact that 70% to 80% of public expenditure goes in pay and pensions and that leaves just over 20% for public services. It is my belief, and this is where we need the debate, that in this budget we should prioritise the provision and restoration of services for three vulnerable sectors, namely, the disability sector, the elderly and the sick who require access to health services.We must also assist those in middle Ireland, the working young parents who are paying for child care and mortgages. They have carried the can over the past several years and need to be rewarded in some way in this budget. Will the Leader have a debate on the sustainability of our public services? While recognising its contribution and its employees, we cannot have it every way. We need to have a considered and genuine debate on this.