Croke Park challenge - Welcome call for scrutiny

The challenge by eight Fine Gael TDs to the Government’s stance on key elements of the Croke Park Agreement is unprecedented and deals another blow to the stability of the Coalition.

Their call for fresh scrutiny of outrageous pay hikes and allowances for high earning public servants will embarrass Labour ministers.

Their views reflect a rising tide of public anger over the administration’s abject failure to tackle this burning issue while ministers seem only too ready to target vulnerable people in society and low paid sections of the public service.

Effectively, the TDs have turned a spotlight on top-heavy union representation in the Croke Park implementation body.

They also question whether so-called savings claimed by this accord are real or over-estimated.

Moreover, they hit the nail on the head by asking if it constrains economic policy and makes the task of correcting the national deficit more difficult.

Above all, it is refreshing to see backbenchers having the courage to put their heads above the parapet and to speak out.