Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Any industrial action that is taken is regrettable and I believe it does not achieve objectives. We have to do everything possible to minimise the impact of any industrial action that is taken. What form it takes and whether there is action is a matter for individual unions to consider. We need to reflect on whether objectives would be achieved through this means, the extent to which we can provide reassurance for public servants, on how we work and on how we can develop public services for the future. These could be better guaranteed in the context of engaging in an agenda that has been identified where further efficiencies can be implemented and to try to do that in a co-operative way. I recognise at the moment there is a lot of disagreement by the trade unions regarding what happened in December and we need to change the context if we can. We need to have an agreed agenda if we can but we need to engage on that agenda at the end of the day. The Government has no wish to seek further reductions in public service pay rates, but the only way to deal with the pay aspirations of public servants and their representatives is through engagement. It is through engagement on the agenda that has been identified - namely, changes across the public service that will result in greater efficiency, better services for the public and more satisfactory work conditions for public servants - rather than through industrial action that the issues of concern to public servants can best be addressed.

It is important to point out that we cannot undermine the budget. An important part of it was the savings that were identified and are now being implemented, and we cannot simply reverse that. It was important and necessary in order to stabilise the public finances. We must now try to proceed on the basis of the common agenda that has been identified. That is the best way of trying to meet people's requirements in the workplace over the longer term. The reversing of budgetary decisions that were made two months ago is not an option that is available to the Government.

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