Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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This really comes down to a question of the best use of resources. There are many competing demands, not least from trade union members. They are quite legitimate. We have a current pay agreement, for example, but there will be future pay agreements as well. Many public services remain under huge pressure and certainly have not been restored following the economic crisis. Where does this issue rank in terms of the level of priorities that the witnesses believe are appropriate and that their members would be advocating for? The figure of €30 million to €40 million is still a lot of money, and it is being competed for by many other parts of the public service and across the area of public expenditure. It is a valuable resource.