Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is a challenging agenda for all sides, both management and staff. I believe the discussions have been entered into in good faith. There is an understanding and recognition of the Government's position in terms of the financial realities with which we must deal. Obviously, there is limited time available to see whether the basis of an agreement is possible. The Government has decisions to take, by 9 December next at the latest. The discussions we are having are at the suggestion of the trades unions and are examining policy options that would provide the savings while at the same time providing us with a means to proceed with a process of reform that will meet the existing commitments that all parties entered into agreement about in the Towards 2016 document.

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