Mr. Tony O'Brien:

No, not in those exact words. Arising from the economic recession in 2009-2010 cuts were made to the overall funding of organisations. In the case of section 38 employees, there was a requirement to strictly impose the FEMPI pay cuts. In regard to section 39 agencies, their budgets were cut and they were required to have regard to the effect on public pay policy of the FEMPI cuts but how they applied the cuts was a matter for them. It is also true that in many instances they applied the FEMPI cuts and there is currently an issue, which I think is the point the Deputy is getting at, about-----