Talk Is Cheap, It's Action That Matters

Below is the text from a number of emails that I have exchanged with the Labour Party TD for Dublin North East Sean Kenny. The emails relate to the proposed scrapping of overtime and Sunday pay for some of the lowest paid and marginalised workers in Irish society, particularly affecting women, migrant workers and students. I had asked the Labour Party TD to do all he could to protect the the pay and conditions of these workers, and he initially said that he supported my stance on the issue. However, when I asked him which way he had voted on the ULA motion on the matter, he informed me that he had voted against it and with the government. This type of double-speak perfectly illustrates that talk from Labour Party TD's is cheap, and it's action that matters. I am also including the tally count which shows how each TD voted on that ULA motion below my email correspondence with Sean Kenny TD. I would encourage all to contact their local Labour TD and ask them why they voted against the motion.

Text from emails:
From: Derek McKenna <derekmckenna@ovi.com>
To: Sean Kenny <sean.kenny@oireachtas.ie>
Sent: Monday, 6 June 2011, 23:39:32
Subject: A Request to Protect Low Paid Workers Rights

Dear Deputy,

200,000 low paid workers have their wages set by the Joint Labour Committee system. As a voter in your constituency, I am requesting that you deliver a message to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Richard Burton TD, that the starting point for any reform of the system has to be the independent Duffy/Walsh Review.

I am very concerned about the agenda for the forthcoming consultation on the reform of JLC. Specifically, it is clear that the Minister’s proposals go far beyond the recommendations proposed by the independent Duffy/Walsh Review. What was the point of going through the review process – in which the views of all parties were considered – if that then is to be put to one side and supplanted by a different set of proposals.

This matter is vitally important to me and my family and I expect that you will act swiftly and decisively to ensure any review occurs through the correct channels and works to protect the wage rates and terms and conditions of low paid workers in your constituency and right across the country.


Yours Sincerely,
Derek McKenna

........................................................................................................................
Dear `Derek,
Thank you for your email in relation to your concerns over recent developments regarding the Duffy Walsh review and proposals published by Minister Richard Bruton.

Your concerns are certainly ones that we would share, and indeed Labour TDs raised this matter in the Dail recently. I also made statements to the press on the matter, and then made another statement regarding the Irish Hotels Federation, who wish to abolish the JLC system. I stated that this was the wrong approach. Both those press statements can be found here ( http://www.labour.ie/press/listing/13064926355129477.html ) and here ( http://www.labour.ie/press/listing/13069483373388155.html).


Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin replying for the Government told the Dail that there would be no pre-determined outcome of the review and that while Minister Bruton’s views would be taken on board, any decision arising from this would be taken on a whole-government basis, and only after the social partners had been consulted.

You may also be aware that after the Labour intervention, the Taoiseach referred to Minister Bruton’s proposals in terms of being part of a “personal agenda”.

The Programme for Government, makes a firm commitment to reform the Joint Labour Committee structure. The first step of that reform is to consider the Duffy Walsh report, and the government must be given time and space to complete the consultation with the social partners in this regard.

Any suggestion that our economic woes can be tackled by singling out workers who are among the lowest paid is badly misplaced. We saw what happened when the Fianna Fail government tried to do by reducing the minimum wage, a decision that has been reversed by this government, a decision that I very much welcome.
Cutting pay at the lowest end will simply have the effect of disincentivising work, which could result in the more people being driven onto the dole. This is something that be avoided at all costs.

At the end of the day, any decision that might emerge from this process will not be a matter for any individual Minister, but will be a matter for the Government as a whole, having discussed it first, with all the stakeholders.
Regards, Seán Kenny TD
.......................................................................................................................................

RE: Reform of the JLC / REA Regulatory System
From: Seán Kenny <info@seankenny.ie>
To: Seán Kenny <info@seankenny.ie>
Sent: Thursday, 23 June 2011, 20:10:35
Subject: Reform of the JLC / REA Regulatory System

Hello All,

I would like to inform you that I was part of a delegation of Labour Party TDs who today meet with Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Enterprise. The meeting was very positive and provided Labour TDs with an opportunity to put forward constructive suggestions as to how reform of the JLC / REA regulatory system could be tackled fairly and equitably.

I welcome the Minister’s indication that he would take our views on board before finalising his proposals.

Regards,
Seán Kenny TD
44 Woodbine Road
Raheny, D 5
Labour DublinNorth East
Phone Home 01 848 1806 Dail 01 6183744
E-mail info@seankenny.ieor sean.kenny@oir.ie


....................................................................................................................................

From: derekmckenna@ovi.com <derekmckenna@ovi.com>
To: info@seankenny.ie
Sent: Friday, 24 June 2011, 1:41:04
Subject: Re: Reform of the JLC / REA Regulatory System


Hi Sean,

It is great to hear that you were given the ‘chance’ to air your views to Minister Bruton. I was just curious to know how you voted on the ULA motion on the same issue on Wednesday evening? I appreciate your interest and support on this issue.
Many thanks,

Derek McKenna.

 FROM
 Seán Kenny
 TO:
 derekmckenna@ovi.com

Friday, 24 June 2011, 7:51:24
Hello Derek,
I voted for the government amendment to that motion. I believe that the Labour Party is better able to represent your interests.
Regards, Seán Kenny TD

........................................................................................................ End of Emails


The full debate on the ULA motion can be accessed here , but here is how each TD voted on the amendment that wiped out the ULA motion.

Question put: “That the motion, as amended, be agreed to.”

The Dail Divided:

For the motion: 96 (James Bannon, Tom Barry, Pat Breen, Tommy Broughan, Richard Bruton, Joan Burton, Ray Butler, Jerry Buttimer, Catherine Byrne, Ciarán Cannon, Áine Collins, Michael Conaghan, Seán Conlan, Paul Connaughton, Ciara Conway, Noel Coonan, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Joe Costello, Simon Coveney, Michael Creed, Lucinda Creighton, Jim Daly, John Deasy, Jimmy Deenihan, Regina Doherty, Stephen Donnelly, Paschal Donohoe, Robert Dowds, Andrew Doyle, Bernard Durkan, Alan Farrell, Frank Feighan, Ann Ferris, Peter Fitzpatrick, Terence Flanagan, Eamon Gilmore, Brendan Griffin, Dominic Hannigan, Noel Harrington, Simon Harris, Brian Hayes, Tom Hayes, Martin Heydon, Brendan Howlin, Heather Humphreys, Kevin Humphreys, Derek Keating, Colm Keaveney, Paul Kehoe, Seán Kenny, Seán Kyne, Anthony Lawlor, Ciarán Lynch, Kathleen Lynch, John Lyons, Michael McCarthy, Shane McEntee, Dinny McGinley, Mattie McGrath, Joe McHugh, Tony McLoughlin, Michael McNamara, Eamonn Maloney, Peter Mathews, Olivia Mitchell, Mary Mitchell O'Connor, Michelle Mulherin, Dara Murphy, Eoghan Murphy, Gerald Nash, Denis Naughten, Dan Neville, Derek Nolan, Michael Noonan, Kieran O'Donnell, Patrick O'Donovan, Fergus O'Dowd, John O'Mahony, Jan O'Sullivan, Willie Penrose, John Perry, Ann Phelan, John Paul Phelan, James Reilly, Michael Ring, Shane Ross, Brendan Ryan, Róisín Shortall, Arthur Spring, Emmet Stagg, David Stanton, Billy Timmins, Joanna Tuffy, Jack Wall, Brian Walsh, Alex White)

Against the motion: 41 (Richard Boyd Barrett, John Browne, Joan Collins, Niall Collins, Michael Colreavy, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Pearse Doherty, Timmy Dooley, Dessie Ellis, Martin Ferris, Luke Flanagan, Seán Fleming, Tom Fleming, John Halligan, Séamus Healy, Joe Higgins, Billy Kelleher, Séamus Kirk, Michael Kitt, Pádraig MacLochlainn, Charlie McConalogue, Mary Lou McDonald, Finian McGrath, Michael McGrath, Sandra McLellan, Michael Moynihan, Catherine Murphy, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Éamon Ó Cuív, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Jonathan O'Brien, Willie O'Dea, Maureen O'Sullivan, Thomas Pringle, Brendan Smith, Brian Stanley, Peadar Tóibín, Robert Troy, Mick Wallace)
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Emmet Stagg and Paul Kehoe; Níl, Deputies Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Catherine Murphy.
Question declared carried.