Public sector pay restoration
Members focus on the public service pay talks and the need for fair restoration, better structures, and hope for public servants. The exchange briefly turns into banter about party politics and Senator McDowell before returning to pay issues.
I welcome the Minister and thank him for agreeing to come to the House for this discussion.
I wish all those involved in the public sector pay talks every success. As the Minister said, the Public Service Pay Commission is the backdrop and the beginning. It is important that we see this matter resolved. It is also important that other unions such as my own union, the ASTI, reconsider how they have approached public sector talks on behalf of their members. We must give some hope to members of the public sector in respect of pay restoration. They have had to endure a horrendous time in the past decade. I say that as a proud public servant who spent many years teaching and who recognises the importance of the public sector to our society and country. The public sector unions have made changes in terms of flexibility, hours of work and how the sector does its business. The issue of pensions is contentious and has vexed the minds of many more salubrious people than I. It is important that we see reform in the public sector but also that we offer hope for pay restoration to the men and women who work in it. Reflecting on what has happened in terms of outputs and outcomes, we recognise the need to bring people further on the journey.
My main focus tonight, if the Minister will allow me, is infrastructure development. Like Senator Kieran O'Donnell, I wish to extol the importance of the Cork-Limerick route. While I recognise the huge cost that the State would incur, it is a road artery that needs to be developed. Like many others, I travelled to Ballinasloe last Saturday night. It was a horrendous journey-----
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Senator McDowell has been there and done that.
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-----Buttevant and Charleville in particular. Senator McDowell is dying to know about it and he was referenced in our hustings, as I said during the Order of Business.
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I have the membership application form. Senator McDowell can rejoin Fine Gael. He would be more than welcome. Our philosophy is that we are a big tent. We are a very diverse and inclusive party.
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Fine Gael is too right wing for Senator McDowell now.