I raise the issue of the lack of a plan for a new public sector pay deal and the lack of engagement on this matter. SIPTU, Fórsa, Unite and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, are now to ballot their members for industrial action, up to and including strike action. The public sector pay deal expired on 30 June and formal talks have yet to begin on a successor agreement. We are in the final week before Dáil Éireann goes into recess for the summer and trade unions and workers in the public sector are none the wiser about their future income and job security. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, looming back to school costs, winter on the horizon, the cost of fuel, third level education costs, and rents being reset to market value, the Government is leaving these workers in limbo. When will workers see the Government at the negotiation table with trade unions to deliver a fair public sector pay deal for workers across this country so that we can stop strike action from happening?

Sentiment score: -0.06