Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As regards the proposals, which are emerging from the continuing discussions, on how to ensure that one does not disrupt services, it may be required in some instances - if this were to be developed into a proposal that provided the means of an acceptable solution - for people to take that leave back over a period of years. That would be precisely to avoid a disruption of services.

If we are to provide an agreed way forward, it will have to be before the budget because the Minister for Finance will be coming into the House with his budget on the basis of what amounts he will have available for public service pay and pensions next year. I have said that there will have to be a reduction in the 2010 figure for that particular bill, substantially less than it is at the moment, of the order of the €1.3 billion we have sought as an objective. That remains the position. In the meantime, efforts are being made to see if there is an agreed way forward on how to do that. In the meantime, the Government is reserving its position.

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