The Government has Rolled Over to Public Sector Unions and Plundered the Exchequer

Published August 21st, 2005 in Economy, Social Partnership

The Government is proceeding apace with the ruinous Benchmarking pay deal for public sector workers. On the 21st of August I proposed a motion, seconded by independents David Norris and Feargal Quinn, to halt the deal in its tracks:

In view of the critical state of the nation’s finances, Seanad Eireann calls on the Government to suspend the benchmarking deal with the public service immediately.

I was amazed that I even managed to get two signatures for this bill. There is a deafening silence in Leinster House about benchmarking because everyone there stands to benefit, and indeed already has without any increases in productivity. Everyone who looks at this objectively knows we can’t afford benchmarking. It’s going to cost at least 1.1 bn per year at a time when the budget deficit is rising. Continue reading ‘The Government has Rolled Over to Public Sector Unions and Plundered the Exchequer’

Auctioneer Regulatory Body to be Welcomed

Published August 5th, 2005 in Consumer Affairs, Regulating Auctioneers

Reports today indicate that the Commission on Auctioneering has recommended that the government set up and independent regulatory body to supervise the practices of auctioneers. The conclusion that auctioneers should not simply regulate themselves is to be welcomed.

Speaking on RTE news, I said that the Commission’s conclusions are fine in principle. But the remedies are not as radical as they should be:

I’m very disappointed with the solution which they have proposed on guide prices. If the proposal as it stands is implemented, it won’t provide a solution at all.


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