Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In any relationship between an employer and employee, there are responsibilities, which the vast majority of people seek to discharge. Being employed, whether in the public or private sector, one gives one's best every day on the basis of the remuneration one receives. That is an objective of everyone who goes to work. We must make sure that we have an organisational structure which enables people to find that fulfilling role, consistent with their professional standards and recognising that employers' capacity to pay has been greatly affected by the economic crisis, which is not unique to this country but has arisen in every country in the developed world. That requires us to look at things afresh and find a way forward which makes sure that a contribution is made by that sector, as by everyone else.

I acknowledge the contribution that has already been made. I freely acknowledge that, despite my best efforts at the time, there was a requirement to impose a pension levy, which affects people's take-home pay. There is no want of trying to find agreement but the agreement must be consistent with what we need to do. People in many sectors of society believe we must get on with that process. I believe we can do it collaboratively and in a constructive way if we can find the means to work through the issues which face us. I hope that is the case. I believe it is a better way to do business.

I have had the honour of holding ministerial office in a number of Departments. I always sought to be open and straight with people, whether staff representatives or anyone else. None of us would have chosen to be in this situation but we are here and we must confront it and deal with it. In the past, I was Minister when strikes took place in my sector. I never sought, as was suggested, to try to organise a strike. It is not an intelligent way to proceed. I am not in the business of putting us into that position but sometimes the process we have put in place and its failure to find agreement can lead to that outcome. No one, on any side, seeks a strike. I do not suggest that anyone on the other side of the negotiation table is seeking a strike. However, sometimes one occurs. I can only continue to put the position of taxpayers in general, as a Government in the current financial and budgetary situation. I must do that in as fair a way as possible, recognising that there are decisions which the Government must contemplate and execute which it would not normally like to make.

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