asked the Minister for Labour with reference to the forthcoming pay round if the Government accept that wage rises should be index-linked to price rises and rises in GNP, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
21.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay Increases.
20.
asked the Minister for Labour, with reference to the forthcoming talks on a new pay round if he will make a statement on the Government's view of the appropriate percentage pay increase for 1980, and the other elements he envisages as part of the package.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
I would consider it premature, and possibly prejudicial to the outcome of negotiations, to make statements on these matters at this time.
Is the Minister aware that in reply to similar questions in the House last year the then Minister for Economic Planning and Development accepted the principle of indexing wage rises? Have the Government departed from that policy?
Statements of this nature at this stage would be premature and could possibly be regarded as being unhelpful. The Deputy should be aware that the Taoiseach has said that the Government will work very hard to secure a new national understanding. This is because we believe there are benefits and advantages to be gained by the community from such a system but at a time when one party are having a delegate conference while the other are considering the matter, a statement such as that requested by the Deputy would be regarded as premature and, possibly, irresponsible.
It has become customary in this House for the Government, in the national interest, to state their view of appropriate pay rises. In these circumstances is it the intention now or at some time before the negotiations begin, for the Government to state their view of what pay rises should be this year?
This is something that the Government as a whole will be considering. In addition, we shall be keeping an eye on developments between the social partners in the intervening period.