Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the situation Deputy Kenny refers to regarding the slow-down in global growth, from which we will not be immune, it is clear that the issue of competitiveness and higher productivity is critical to ensuring that we come through this period in the economic cycle better than others, as we did in the past. In the context of pay talks, which have just commenced, I indicated the need to focus on increased productivity as a criterion that needs to be addressed in the context of any suggested pay increases because it is the only way in which we can maintain jobs and not see a deterioration in job security in the economy generally.

The Deputy referred specifically to the remuneration body which came forward with benchmarking for higher paid officeholders, including politicians. As he will be aware, we made a differentiated decision on politicians vis-À-vis other high earners. The pay talks have just begun and I do not intend to anticipate the outcome of those discussions except to say that obviously the Government is anxious to sit down with partners and address the issues in a way that will meet the requirements of everybody.

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