Public sector pay and local authorities
Senator Burke challenged Senator Gavan over public sector pay and tax, arguing taxpayers must fund higher wages and warning about Brexit and UK export risks. He also noted the lack of Seanad debate on value for money in local authorities.
I enjoy being lectured by Senator Gavan. Yesterday he lectured us on the Spanish Civil War.
Comment on this
Today he lectured us on the Lansdowne Road agreement. I remind Senator Gavan that it is ordinary taxpayers who must pay for an increase in public sector pay. On the one hand, he cannot argue for increased public sector pay while, on the other hand, call for an increase in the take-home pay of people who work in the private sector.
Comment on this
No. If one raises the level of money paid to the public sector, then more taxation must be collected. There is no other way to do so. The Government has been fair about public sector pay agreements.
Comment on this
We need to step back. Ireland is facing major challenges in terms of its exports to the UK. The amount of exports to the UK has decreased so less income is being generated. We need to be careful how we deal with Brexit. We also need to be careful with the words we choose and not give a false sense of hope. Let us remember that public sector workers earn €200 a week more on average than people who work in the private sector.
This morning I tabled a Commencement matter on local authorities. We do not appear to have had a debate in this House on value for money in local authorities. Over €1.325 billion was collected in 2014 and I understand that €1.4 billion was collected in 2015. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to come to the House to debate value for money and services, in particular the reports of the Local Government Audit Service and the National Oversight & Audit Commission, which was set up in 2014. We have never debated these matters in this House.