Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the Deputy's questions in the order in which he raised them.

With regard to public pay, I understand that it will become clear by the middle of September if the second Lansdowne Road agreement is ratified by the public services committee of ICTU. Given that a number of unions oppose it at present, I will not assume that it will be passed. That would be disrespectful to the union movement which is making up its mind at present. The short answer to the question about the impact that would have for next year is approximately €180 million. I have given that figure previously.

Regarding the two-to-one profile, I expect that the overall figures will have to be at least two-to-one. If I make additional choices in some respect or if the fiscal space changes and additional money is generated, I do not believe I would be in keeping with the agreement if I were to put all of that money into tax reform, for example. However, it is at least two-to-one, rather than just two-to-one.

On the pension issue, I have not made a decision yet on any expenditure element of the budget, let alone social welfare which is one of its biggest elements. I understand that many people in our society need changes in the working age and fixed payments that are made available to them, and the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, will be making that point to me. However, I cannot say what the decision will be.