Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I have some questions for the Taoiseach about the cuts in pay to staff of his Department. Have these pay cuts already commenced, and from what date did they commence?

Second, I refer to the decision that was taken subsequent to the Act being passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas to vary the manner in which it was to be applied to the grades of assistant and deputy secretary. Was that decision taken by the Government and was the Taoiseach personally involved in it? Third, the Taoiseach will recall that before Christmas, I asked him about the issue of staff who are employed by bodies which are funded by the public purse. I referred specifically to bodies such as charities and various non-governmental organisations and, in response, the Government introduced an amendment to the legislation to the effect that the pay cuts would apply only to those who enjoyed public sector pensions. I understand that the Health Service Executive has issued a circular to the bodies it funds directing them to cut the pay of the staffs concerned, many of which staffs are lowly paid, including those of various charities. What is the legal basis, if any, for such a circular and what is the position in this regard? Finally, when does the Taoiseach expect the Moriarty tribunal to report?

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