Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Craughwell for raising this issue and I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to address it in the House.

As a Member of the Oireachtas for more than 14 years, I am deeply conscious and appreciative of the extraordinary work carried out by all of our support staff. I see this work up close day in, day out, and know that I, for one, could not do the job I do without the selfless dedication and commitment I get from my own staff. I have no doubt the same is true for every Member of this House, as Senator Craughwell has noted in his own case. I also acknowledge that the nature of the work carried out by our staff, which in the case of Senators means their SAs is unique. They have to deal with a multifaceted set of issues every day and their role extends far beyond providing what might be generally termed secretarial support.

The role of an SA is very different now to what it was even a decade ago in light of the rapid changes in the way we communicate and interact with the people we represent. I am also deeply aware that they do not enjoy job security and, in many instances, they will no longer have work once the Member they work for is not re-elected or retires. Being a politician or working for a politician has many benefits, principally the enjoyment and satisfaction we get from helping people and making a difference, but job security is not one of them.

To deal with the specific issue at hand, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003 provides a limited role for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in determining pay and superannuation arrangements for secretarial and parliamentary assistants employed under the scheme of secretarial assistance. Under the Act, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission has the power to regulate the provision of secretarial facilities to Members and qualifying parties. This function transferred from the Minister for Finance on the establishment of the commission on 1 January 2004. The term "secretarial facilities" is not defined in legislation but is generally taken to be a wide term encompassing the staff employed under the scheme for secretarial assistance, as well as ICT equipment, office equipment, printing facilities and graphic design services. SAs, parliamentary assistants, administrative assistants, administrators and chefs de cabinet are employed by Members and by qualifying parties but are paid by the commission. The commission also regulates the number of staff employed under the scheme and has oversight of the operation of the scheme.

Under the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003, the commission must obtain the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform before reaching an agreement with any person in respect of rates of pay, conditions of employment or superannuation rights. In practice, this means that the commission advises on matters relating to resourcing, grading and terms and conditions of employment and submits proposals for the Minister's consideration and agreement. In other words, the commission makes a proposal to me, as Minister, on issues such as grading, salary rates and so on, and I then make a decision on that proposal, having consulted with my officials. In that regard, I am aware that there is a process under way at the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, dealing with various issues, including alignment with the current public service pay agreement Building Momentum, between the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and SIPTU. This is an issue I would like to see resolved and that is an important political signal for me as Minister to give in this House this morning. I look forward to a successful resolution of the matter and early presentation of proposals for my agreement, in line with my role under the legislation.