Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Arising from the statement the Taoiseach made following Deputy Kenny's supplementary question, is it the view of the Government that an agreement in the first instance would be formed across the public sector or would it be done on a sector by sector basis? I was interested in the Taoiseach's remarks that discussions are going on sector by sector, with teachers talking to the Department of Education and Children and the Department of Finance, while health workers are talking to the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Finance. Is the Taoiseach saying that if savings and efficiencies can be found on a sector by sector basis and a potential agreement arose from that, those sectors could be saved from a blanket reduction in pay if such savings were to be found? Is the Government looking for a global agreement or a sector by sector agreement?

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