Vol. 403 No. 4
19 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she entered into meaningful negotiations with the teachers' unions concerning the £75 million owed to teachers since the 1985 special pay award; when such negotiations were held; and the proposals, if any, she had for payment of this money.
259 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education when she proposes to pay teachers the £75 million still due under the 1986 pay award; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 259 together.
On 6 February 1986, on the proposal of the Government of the day, Dáil Éireann modified a finding by the public service arbitrator on a teachers' pay claim. The effect of the modification was to provide for phasing of the payment of the finding in accordance with the terms of the then draft proposals for a public service pay agreement. As a result of this phasing and taking account of certain compensatory payments to teachers, the teacher unions claim that a further £75 million is due to them.
The settlement terms of the dispute in 1986 acknowledged the teachers' right to pursue the matter further but also recognised the Government's position that payment of retrospection is not possible. The teachers' unions have requested a meeting with myself and the Minister for Finance to discuss this issue and we have agreed to meet them.
I notice that nothing happened since 1986, yet I recall, and the Minister will agree, that in 1987 she was saying she would enter into meaningful negotiations with the teachers' unions in relation to this £75 million. Three years have elapsed since then and the Minister tells me she has not met the teachers' unions to specifically discuss this problem. Does she not think that three years is a long time?
Deputy McGrath is very mistaken. The teachers' unions have now requested a meeting with me and the Minister for Finance to discuss this issue. We have agreed to meet them.
Does the Minister think she will be in a position, after three years, to do something about it, and will pay this award?
Let us be quite clear, it was Deputy McGrath's Government who modified the agreement in 1986 and recognised that while the teachers could enter a claim, it could not be paid retrospectively. They requested a meeting with me and the Minister for Finance and we have agreed to meet them.
A final question, Deputy McGrath. This cannot go on interminably.
What did you say in opposition?
You promised the sun, moon and stars.
Is it not true to say that in those years the Minister said repeatedly that the teachers should get the money due to them? The Minister was in opposition then. Is she now saying she was making promises but had no intention of doing anything about them? It is now three years since the Minister made those promises, and she still has not met the teachers' unions to discuss it. Is not that——
I have met the teachers' unions.
Excuse me, I am not finished, Minister.
Deputy McGrath, please. This is leading to unnecessary argument.
I have met the teachers' unions on many occasions. Does Deputy McGrath stand over his Government's behaviour on that occasion?
Question No. 20, please.
