Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I meant to say that the number of people who have voted for the agreement would disprove that argument. The union membership see that the merit in the agreement far outweighs any potential negative. At no stage was there an attempt by the Government to usurp the role of the unions. We respect them and the mandate of the public services committee, which is overwhelmingly in favour of the agreement. As a consequence, we hope that everyone will be covered by it.