Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

No, we must first get agreement with the trade unions that the promotions policy will be affected by the reality of decentralisation when it takes place. That is the first matter of principle on which we must get agreement. There is work ongoing in the Labour Relations Commission with regard to a specific and very prominent State agency, but were we to get agreement on that and resolve the difficulty, it would have a general application. We must find a formula that will enable us to get down to detailed discussions beyond that basic principle. It is an issue that needs to be negotiated and discussed.

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