The decision of the Minister for Finance to devote this year's revenue surplus of £1 billion to repayments on the national debt has been criticised by the secretary of the ATGWU, Mr Michael O'Reilly, who says the decision will jeopardise the prospects for a new national agreement.
"Workers have accepted wage agreements on the basis that increased wealth would go towards improving public services, reducing the PAYE tax burden and fighting poverty. Instead the Minister will squander the national wealth on reducing the national debt, while leaving public services in a woefully under-financed state.
