Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

——and the national development plan, across all aspects of the economy, are matters we should highlight and about which we should speak positively.

The 3% reduction in payroll is a matter to which speakers opposite have referred. This is not a cap across all areas of the public sector. It allows local management to ensure front line services will not be affected. This is a fundamental matter. It is not an embargo or a pay cut across the board. It is a saving in the context of the payroll, allowing for flexibility and for managers in agencies or services to make strategic decisions to ensure they comply.

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