TDs say Cowen has shirked the tough decisions
Taoiseach Brian Cowen,TD at Government Buildings yesterday
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Friday December 04 2009
ANGRY Fianna Fail TDs yesterday vented their fury at proposals to give public sector workers unpaid leave instead of pay cuts.
They told Taoiseach Brian Cowen they did not believe the controversial measure amounted to taking the tough decisions needed to reform the ailing public finances.
Party backbenchers criticised the envisaged deal with the unions as a way to save €1.3bn from the public sector wage bill.
The party ended up endorsing the government approach of securing €4bn in savings in the Budget, including €1.3bn from public sector pay.
But Fianna Fail TDs warned Mr Cowen they did not believe the unpaid leave deal was taking a tough decision. More than 30 backbenchers spoke at the meeting.
Mr Cowen and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said no deal was done. More than 30 backbenchers spoke at the meeting.
Fianna Fail TDs claimed they had been inundated with calls from angry voters, including dozens of public sector workers opposed to the unpaid leave proposal.
Many TDs accused the unions of "playing to the gallery" and hardening public opposition.
"If you're inflicting big cuts across social welfare, how do you square that with the public sector getting a deal which requires them to work less rather than work more?" one TD asked. Some predicted the unpaid leave proposal would be completely pulled from negotiations, while others claimed it may simply be watered down to play a minor part in the overall package.
Most TDs were of the view that pay cuts were now likely, combined with a new core working day and reductions in overtime and allowances.
Impossible
Wexford TD Sean Connick said the overwhelming view of the party is the proposal is "not a runner".
"If you are looking at cuts across every other area including social welfare, it would be impossible to sell 12 days off without pay . . . the private sector will see it as a sop to the public sector," he said.
Dublin South-East TD Chris Andrews claimed if the unpaid leave package is signed-off on, it would not be "tolerated" by his party colleagues.
The Government must not be seen to be "held to ransom" by the unions, he said.
"It's putting off tough decisions. It doesn't give any certainty that everyone needs -- even public servants need certainty and it doesn't give that. It leads to uncertainty. The Government has to be decisive," he said.
Fianna Fail Limerick West TD Niall Collins said he had concerns about the practicality and workability of the unpaid leave proposal.
"Some of the fiercest opposition I've received is from public sector workers," he said.
Carlow-Kilkenny's TD Bobby Aylward said: "Anything we do has to be seen to be fair and even-handed.
The higher wage earner has to be hit harder than the lower-wage earner."
Echoing the overwhelming view of his colleagues, FF Dublin North TD Michael Kennedy said he was not convinced 12 days' unpaid leave is practical for schools or hospitals.
Mr Kennedy also insisted pay cuts must be proportionate, with those on salaries of €25,000 or €30,000 exempt.
Fianna Fail Galway East TD Noel Treacy said the Government could not afford to be giving people 12 days off.
"Everyone should be on a minimum basic of 40 hours per week. We can't afford less as far as I'm concerned," he said.
- Aine Kerr and Fionnan Sheahan
Irish Independent
