Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have listened to those who represent other interests at those talks, but the assertions the Deputy made were not made by anybody else. Deputies will be aware also that the talks covered a long agenda linked to the headline issues under the framework agreed some days before. Each issue required lengthy and detailed consideration in turn and, in accordance with normal practice in these types of negotiations, there were very experienced and skilled negotiators on all sides. Issues in respect of pay were discussed after all the other issues were dealt with.

That said, social partners were aware from an early stage that the majority of the €2 billion savings was required to be found from the public service pay bill, and that a pensions levy was the most likely vehicle for securing these savings. In the immediate aftermath of the breakdown of the talks, the contention was made that it was a surprise that this issue arose and the stage at which it arose. Anybody who knows anything about the dynamics of negotiations knows that such was not the case. Obviously, an orientation in the discussion took place over the weekend. One waits to see the way ahead. It would have been a requirement of some of the negotiators to know where the Government was going on some issues in order that they could look at the issue they had in hand. To suggest, simplistically, that there were many inexperienced people who did not know what they were doing is an injustice to the negotiating skills and track record of all those people.

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