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

I thank all the Senators for their contributions to the debate. I will be back in the Chamber tomorrow on Committee Stage. I look forward to discussing the issues in some more detail then.

I have heard what everyone has had to say about staff generally in the Oireachtas. I fully concur with all those sentiments. We are very fortunate in the way we are looked after and served by all members of staff. I have heard, in particular, what has been said about SAs. My officials observed the proceedings last week during the Commencement matter on this issue and were very much of the proceedings in the Dáil last week when this Bill went through all Stages. Many Members of that House made similar points and officials are again observing the proceedings here today. What the Senators say matters and it is being heard. I have been a Member of the Oireachtas for more than 14 years and have seen first-hand the extraordinary work our staff do for us.While we have been here over the last hour or so, our phones have been ringing, emails have continued to come in and work has been continuing. Without that support, we simply could not do the job we do. I am glad that a date has now been set for re-engagement at the WRC. The WRC has invited both parties, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and SIPTU, to come before it on 28 January 2022. The commitment I can give for my own part is that, as Minister, I am there to assist in any way I can, as are my officials. I have asked my officials to be as supportive and facilitative as they possibly can be of a resolution being arrived at here, which is what we all want to see. My role in this issue is clear; it is to consider a proposal that is made to me by the commission. Under section 4 of the Act, the commission makes a proposal to me on terms and conditions, grading and so on and I either give consent or I do not. That is my role and once a proposal is put to me, I will make a prompt decision. The political signal that I sent out last week, which I am happy to reiterate again today, is that I am anxious to see a resolution to this issue. I want to see proposals brought forward as quickly as possible to resolve this issue. That is an important signal and, as I said, my officials stand ready to assist the process in any way they can over the next number of weeks, both in the lead up to the WRC hearing and hopefully, a resolution of the matter at that time.

To add to all of the points that Senators made, another relevant factor is the lack of job security for all of our staff. Many of them will end up for working for one or two terms or, if they are very lucky, three terms. There is a lack of job security there. Democracy matters and we have to stand up for our democracy, fight for it and support it. We also have to support each other and support our staff. I have said as much as I can or should say on that issue. My role is to consider a proposal made by the commission and I look forward to discharging that responsibility in the coming weeks.

I wish to respond to a number of specific questions. Senator Kyne raised the issue of staffing. The current staffing level in the commission stands at 619 full-time equivalents. The increased allocation proposed under this Bill will provide for a phased staffing increase over the period of the envelope to provide for 696 full-time equivalents by 2024, representing an increase of 77, or 12%, over the three years. This is a significant increase but it is ultimately a matter for the commission as to how it allocates its resources over that period of time.

The question was also asked as to whether sufficient resources have been provided under this Bill to resolve the industrial relations issue. That is a very fair question and some context is important here. There has been an underspend for the last number of years. In 2019, there was an underspend of €21.4 million, while in 2020 there was an underspend of €14.8 million. The commission has indicated a further saving of €15 million in 2021 based on current projections. This will bring a forecasted return of some €51 million, or 12%, on the 2019 to 2021 envelope. Obviously, Covid-19 had an impact in some respects, particularly on travel and so on, but when one considers that we are providing an increase from that budget base of over €40 million, or almost 10%, it is clear that the capacity is there to improve even further the level of service that is provided by the commission to all of us and to make appropriate changes in respect of remuneration, terms and conditions, and so on. That is as much as I can say for now. I look forward to being back here tomorrow when we can discuss the issue further.