Mr. P. J. Fitzpatrick:

Yes, as pay was reduced at the time of the pay cuts; they are covered by the agreement. We know something is happening in some of these areas because we can read or hear about it. We have asked for more information from the sector which accounts for a figure of €4 billion or €5 billion per year. We mention this at the end of the report. It is a big sector.

To be fair, in the health sector in general there has been much progress and the sector has driven many reforms. The budgetary position has, however, become more rather than less challenging and there has been negligible growth. In making the statement we were very conscious that the agreement would be required to deliver more and more in order to enable the Government to meet its budgetary targets. There are big ticket items, particularly shared services, to consider. We have seen some good progress in local government, with project teams and offices driving the process on. The people concerned are working with Mr. Paul Reid in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The education sector is also being pushed in this way. These are the big areas and they have been included from the start. Some are working better than others.