Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The implementation of the ECF has been the subject of discussions between the representative groups and Department officials, and considerable progress has been made. We went over this ground at yesterday's meeting with the representative associations. Difficulties that had been encountered up to that point were advanced somewhat.

There is an implementation body that deals with issues arising from the Croke Park agreement. It will meet next week, perhaps on 20 December. Organisations that are parties to the agreement have the right to attend the meeting in question, at which some of the issues to which the Deputy referred will be dealt with. I understand that promotional posts will begin to be filled in the early part of the new year. The process of filling these posts will continue throughout 2011.

The Deputy also referred to surplus posts. I understand that at present quite a number of people are acting up in various capacities. On the previous occasion on which I answered parliamentary questions in the House, I stated that this figure was more than 100. Even though I offered that number from memory, it turned out to be correct. Most of the posts in question will be replaced by the permanent posts on offer under the ECF. I am not sure whether there are surplus posts and I would be surprised if such posts existed.

See this speech in context