Taoiseach makes last-minute plea to public sector unions to 'very simply, come in and talk'

Government accused of treating public sector workers with 'contempt' as 300,000 people prepare to take industrial action

Members and supporters of Siptu and Unite unions on the picket line outside Dundalk Ambulance Station, as paramedics in the National Ambulance Service go on strike in May.

The Taoiseach has made a last-minute plea to public sector unions to "very simply, come in and talk" ahead of countrywide strike action.

The Government has been accused of treating public sector workers with "contempt" as 300,000 people prepare to take industrial action.

Micheál Martin said the number of people working in the public service has increased by about 25% in recent years and is now up to 424,000 employees.

"That is a Government that understands the need for an expansion of public services and public servants to do it," he said.

"For example, healthcare staff have grown by about 31,000 since 2019. There is a 53% increase in hospital consultants. There are about 11,000 more nurses, midwives and so forth. 

"Next year, we will have up to 28,000 special needs assistants in our schools. I have been involved with the expansion of SNA numbers all my political life. We are pro public service. I want to make that very clear."

He added: "There is only one way to resolve this, and that's people getting around the table."

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the previous public sector pay deal expired last June, meaning the Government "has had nearly four months to listen to public sector workers, four months to engage in meaningful negotiation and conversation and four months to sort this out and avoid industrial action".

"The unions warned Government last year of the challenges it would face in reaching a new pay deal. The Government chose to ignore, to delay and to drag things out."

Referring to comments made by the Taoiseach last week, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan accused Mr Martin of "rage-baiting public sector workers" and depicting them as "spoiling for a fight".

"Does he really think nurses want to be going on strike tomorrow? Does he think teachers want to be standing outside schools on picket lines? His comments are telling."

Mr Martin told the Dáil the disruption was not necessary because he said the Government had taken measures in the budget. 

"If you add to that the continued expansion in the number of public servants plus the provision we have made in public service pay, there is a basis there for negotiations.

"Clearly, pay will be a central issue. We all, including the trade union movement, know that," Mr Martin said.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik accused the Government of recklessly allowing the last pay deal to run out in June.