Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The pension levy has reduced their pay by an average of nearly 7%. Their numbers have been reduced by the moratorium, the incentivised early retirement scheme and career breaks. Like many workers they have forgone pay increases. Unfortunately, more is required. The country can no longer afford a pay and pensions bill that accounts for more than a third of all day to day expenditure. Any reduction in the pay bill must be sustainable, must be applied in a progressive manner and must address the position beyond 2010.

As the House knows, there were lengthy negotiations with the public service unions in recent weeks. The Government wanted to achieve the necessary reductions by agreement and the unions earnestly sought to conclude a deal.

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