Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The Minister's comment that no one wants deflation is interesting. Given his economic strategy, one would be forgiven for believing that he wants deflation. Deflating the country back to competitiveness is at the centre of his strategy.

Many public servants are on strike. I do not agree with the strike but I understand why they are doing it. They took a 7.5% pay cut through the pension levy earlier this year. Many feel that they did not stand up for themselves at that point and that they need to do so now. Many of those who voted for the strike today understand there must be pay reductions in the forthcoming budget. I understand that. They would like an assurance that any pay cuts in the forthcoming budget will be the last set of cuts. If the Minister makes such a statement in the next few days, it will make a difference. He should say to the public servants that they took a big cut in April and must take another in the coming budget, but that it will the last one, that the Minister is not going to come at them again in the spring or summer. If the Minister could do this, it would make a big difference.

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