Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Is it the Government's intention to reach agreement with the public service trade unions on issues relating to pay, reorganisation and reform in the public service prior to the budget? I heard on the lunchtime radio news that the public service unions had committed themselves to a second day of industrial action on 3 December. Is it the Government's intention to try to conclude an agreement with the unions prior to that date? If, as the Taoiseach acknowledges, the public service is in need of the reorganisation and reform that require major decisions to be made, what has the Government been doing for the last 12 years that these reforms have not been achieved before now? Will the Taoiseach confirm whether the report of the review body on higher remuneration has been received by the Government? Has it been considered by the Government and what decision has been made on it? What is recommended in the report in respect of remuneration?

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