Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Industrial relations machinery is available and it would be far better for many people if there was a centralised pay agreement in place. I am sure there are ongoing talks and contacts between employers and unions in the private sector considering whether that is possible. There has been no outcome yet.

As the employer on the public sector pay side, we are not in a position to look at changing pay arrangements until 2011, which the Minister for Finance has made clear. We are in a position whereby, not having had a successful outcome to the last effort, people must reflect on what will be the best way forward from everybody's point of view. An escalation of industrial action will not bring any benefits to citizens or to public servants and a large number of ordinary public servants recognise the necessity for what the Government had to do in the last budget.

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