Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

To link it to performance with whom? That is the question. I take the view that public servants should be paid a remuneration commensurate with the responsibilities of what is available for similar jobs in the private sector. In that way, we try to ensure that we have more cross-pollination between the public and private sectors. We will get more people from the private sector coming into the public sector and vice versa. This is good for careers, experience and people understanding the disciplines that may apply in both sectors and the ethos of the public sector. I do not agree with the Deputy's premise that there is a flaw in comparing those at the top end of the public sector with the lowest quarter of those with commensurate jobs in the private sector.

I also agree that there is no question of those in the highest echelons of the public sector obtaining, seeking or being granted remunerative packages like those in the highest reaches of the private sector. It would go against the ethos of public service. However, we must also ensure that there is some process of arbitration and evaluation. Those terms of reference for the review body on higher remuneration are set out on each occasion it is asked to decide. It was over seven years since the body was asked to do so for these categories of people who include chiefs of staff and higher public servants. Ministers are, of course, included in that. The developments in the private sector in that time brought about a situation where even looking at the lowest quarter of comparable jobs in the private, not the middle or higher end——

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