Public sector pay and nurses strike
Ruth Coppinger criticised public sector pay policy and said strike action by nurses and teachers was inevitable. The Taoiseach replied that a pay deal already runs to 2020 and includes increases, while warning there are limits to taxation.
I also wish a happy Christmas to all the workers in the Dáil. The ushers and catering staff are fantastic and supportive workers.
For only the second time in the union's hundred year history the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, has voted to take strike action in the new year. The 95% vote in favour was a hugely resounding result, through which they join teachers and psychiatric nurses. It is an inevitable result of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation and other legislation that this Government and its predecessors maintained.
The choice before young public sector workers is one of emigrating or staying here to live a life of very little hope because they cannot pay rent on the wages that young teachers and nurses are being asked to accept. I know somebody who is just qualifying as a psychiatric nurse and her job is already booked in Britain. That is the reality. The Taoiseach has asked where the money will come from. Nurses should take note of what happened today with bondholders but also-----
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-----that the 18 wealthiest people in this country have €60 billion between them. The corporation tax receipts which the Taoiseach-----
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It is very important to point it out.
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Is it not the reality that determined strike action is what is needed to force the Government to pay nurses and teachers?
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As I outlined earlier, we have a pay deal with all public servants, not just teachers and nurses, which runs to 2020 and provides for pay increases next year, including across the board pay increases, a special pay increase for those earning less than €30,000, and we have negotiated with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions a further special pay increase for those recruited after 2012. That is the deal that we have done and where things stand.
There are limits to taxation. There comes a point where taxes can be raised so high that no further revenue is gained and wealth is lost. That should be borne in mind.