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

Later in the year, we will have engagement with the public service unions on a future wage agreement. That matter will be led by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, who I will fully support. Our public servants have played a vital role in the delivery of public services during the pandemic. We look to recognise those who have been most immediately on the front line through the pandemic recognition payment, which will be paid in the coming months. The unions will present their cases and the views of the members to us. They will make reference to all kinds of issues that they believe are important.

The Deputy offers a prediction of what the unions will do. I also offer a prediction of what Deputy Tóibín will do. No matter what agreement we come to, it will never be enough, in his eyes. He will always condemn it. That is a prediction that I can make with certainty, given the Deputy's past track record. This Government, and I in the last Government, have negotiated a series of wage agreements with the public service unions. We have then implemented them in good faith. We will do that again.