Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not accept that we do not do that. The wider pay agreements are based on ensuring industrial peace and that we have ongoing reforms in the public service that are agreed to by the trade unions and staff representative bodies. Continuing reform is ongoing. The OECD points out the need to accelerate that, particularly at times when resources are tight and in view of the commitments we have all made in the social partnership Towards 2016 agreement, which is a ten-year framework agreement. This entire agenda is a centrepiece of how we can proceed.

The way one achieves objectives in this regard is through working in partnership and finding solutions with partners on these issues. The OECD report provides an excellent background and framework within which we can advance that agenda. The question of continuing civil and public modernisation is part of the non-pay element of pay agreements. As we saw with the announcement yesterday, we must engage with those stakeholders to bring about the changes that are required in the interests of greater efficiency and effectiveness.

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