Mr. Pat Burke:

It is a matter of hindsight. Looking back to 2000, one of the teacher unions - ASTI, I think - was seeking a 30% increase in pay. It is inconceivable in today's terms. There was a significant dispute and a real concern, on the part of the Government, that if anything was conceded over and above the general pay settlement, it would effectively unravel the Government pay policy at the time. Whatever was conceded at the time, it would not have been tactically prudent to have conceded a salary increase. That was the genesis of the ultimate settlement, travelling by way of an allowance.