Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues on the committee for their support. This is in an important day in that it removes the restrictions on pay set out in the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation and gives effect to Building Momentum, which has a very significant reform element and embeds many of the flexibilities that have been demonstrated by the public service over the course of the pandemic. That is a good achievement. It also provides for increases that are weighted towards those at the lower end of pay in public service terms and that is something to be welcomed. It also addresses the issue of the Haddington Road agreement hours, putting in place a process with money behind it. Also, the sectoral bargaining fund is a very innovative initiative which will hopefully go well and will help to deal with outstanding matters, some of which have been there for quite some time. I look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved to bring about the implementation of that.