Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach said several times that he is prepared to engage if a realistic basis can be found. I accept what he is saying and think he is correct but the realistic basis being put forward by the Fine Gael Party is to agree there will be no further cuts to core pay or allowances in the next budget and that the Government should be prepared to negotiate with unions to reverse the pay cuts over time in return for real transformation, reform and efficiencies of a kind we have never seen before. Does the Taoiseach not agree that is the realistic basis on which to engage and, if so, why does he not proceed on it?

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