Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

When will the second round of the benchmarking process which is under way be completed and when will a new benchmarking report be published?

Over the weekend there was newspaper speculation that this round would give rise to a ballpark increase of 3% across the board for public sector salaries. Has the Taoiseach's attention been drawn to these reports? Are they wide of the mark or close to it?

The Taoiseach describes the benchmarking process as better than the old analogue system of pay determination in the public sector. One criticism, however, of the benchmarking system is that it was a secret one. The benchmarking body decided on increases, but the basis for them was never clear. One criticism the nurses had during their dispute last year was that some public servants received very high increases while they did not and they could not see the basis for those decisions. What are the plans in the new benchmarking arrangement for the process to be more transparent so those engaged in it, as well as the wider public, can understand on what basis salary levels in the public sector have been set?

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