Mr. Barry O'Brien:

We are responsible for the implementation of the Government's pay policy, section 7(2) of which states:

Salaries for approved grades must be in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales. The payment of any allowance or perquisite which is not encompassed by, or in line with the Scales, and which has not previously been sanctioned in writing by the Minister for Health, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, must cease with immediate effect.