Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As the Taoiseach noted, the pay terms of the existing agreement for the private sector expired in March while that for the public sector will expire in September. We are in a situation where there should be a new agreement on pay. When does the Taoiseach expect the pay element of the talks to be concluded? Will that happen on this side of the summer holidays? I note he said there have already been 17 meetings between the parties on this issue.

I appreciate the Taoiseach cannot predict the outcome but I wish to ask him about the framework of the talks. What period of agreement is anticipated to emerge from the discussions? Has the Government formulated a pay offer as part of these talks? Can the Taoiseach indicate to the House what that might be, in general terms? Considering the non-pay elements he referred to such as agency workers, temporary workers, collective bargaining issues and issues related to employment legislation, are those matters now concluded in a way that allows for full engagement on the pay element?

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