At the television debate, Simon Harris claimed he was sorting out the Section 39 workers. These people provide care but do not get even the minimal social partnership increases.
But he was lying.
On the same day unions representing these workers met with representatives of government to try and reach an agreement on pay and related matters for workers in Section 10, 39, 40 and 56 Organisations.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of commitments made earlier this week by various government ministers. Those in attendance, on behalf of the government, advised the unions they had no mandate to address the issue of pay parity.
The unions are now calling on Government to honour their commitments by mandating their officials to negotiate a settlement to this long-running dispute in advance of the election.
The issue of pay parity has always been central to this dispute and must be resolved.