Mr. Barry O'Brien:

I am not saying it was done by the Department; I am saying it is quite clear that there were varying non-standard arrangements and the challenge for us was to introduce standardisation. I refer to the level of work and dedication to achieving this standardisation in the past 18 months. There will be a certain appreciation of having regard to the rights of each and every individual. In some senses, significant progress has been achieved. We have nearly completed it but it will be a case of the committee making an analysis when we have finished as to what we have achieved. There was always the potential for red circling and even that is allowed for in Government pay policy. The Government recognises that there was this potential and therefore it was included in the policy.