Mr. Neil McDonnell:

To round out that point, the international comparisons we were promised in phase one of the Public Service Pay Commission need to be finished before any further reports are generated. We are not naive. We know there is not going to be a reduction in public service pay. However, there needs to be a recognition of the value of public service pensions. Second, when the pressure comes on it is fair to ask public sector workers for efficiencies and modernisation in exchange. Across the board, members know the pressures that are there in health. education and justice. There needs to be change. There should be no concession on pay where there is no concession on change.

On skills, I refer to the sectors of IT, construction, engineering, transport and logistics. Regarding the insurance issues that need to be sorted, the bullet points are to benchmark the book of quantum internationally; remove the judicial discretion on awards once we have a new book of quantum; strengthen the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB; introduce moral hazard for refusing PIAB awards when claims are taken to court; pass the Bill affecting perjury which I know is already before the Seanad; and establish the Garda insurance unit.