Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has had his day on that one. The Government had to take decisions to implement cuts of between 5% and 8% across the board in the public service. I have outlined the progressive nature of those decisions. If the Deputy considers the decisions we have taken since the crisis began he will see the percentages confirm that the cuts are progressive. They must be progressive in the interests of fairness all around. There are many other people outside the public sector who have unfortunately lost their jobs. The question of security of employment must also be taken into consideration. We must try to implement reforms in the public service and proceed in the years ahead on the basis of what is affordable and what is coming into the Exchequer, and that will involve much effort on everyone's part. The idea that there is a simple black-and-white solution is not correct.

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