Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

On 12 March last, along with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, I met with officers of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The purpose of this meeting was to explore the potential and appropriate conditions for a renewed engagement between public service unions and management on the development of a comprehensive agenda for the transformation of public services and on a framework for public service pay determination.

At this meeting, it was agreed that both sides would invite Mr. Kieran Mulvey and Mr. Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission as facilitators to undertake initial discussions with public service management and unions. While appointed in a personal capacity, the facilitators would draw on the resources of the Labour Relations Commission to support their work.

As Deputies are aware, following lengthy and complex discussions, on 30 March a draft agreement was reached with the public service unions on a comprehensive agenda for public service transformation and a framework for public service pay determination over the period to 2014. This draft agreement, if ratified, will result in significantly enhanced public services and a more cost effective and better integrated public service. It will also provide certainty for public servants on job security and income levels.

The draft agreement is the best deal that can be negotiated. As set out in the Government statement of 14 April, it is the Government's intention, on ratification, to enter into and operate the agreement in absolute good faith, including the provisions relating to the review of public service pay.

In recent weeks, the public service unions have sought clarifications on a number of aspects of the draft agreement. Following consideration of this request, clarifications on a number of issues were provided on 6 May. These clarifications will provide greater certainty and assist the parties in having a better understanding of various issues that have been raised since the completion of the Croke Park negotiations. It is now for the individual members of the unions concerned, through their ballots, to decide whether to accept or reject the deal.

With regard to meetings with the social partners, I last met representatives of the farming pillar, community and voluntary pillar and environmental pillar at a series of bilateral meetings on 27 October last. I last met with representatives of the employer and business pillar at a bilateral meeting on 20 October. I had subsequent bilateral engagement with representatives of the Irish Farmers Association on 4 February. In addition to these formal meetings, there is ongoing contact on issues of concern to the social partners through bilateral contacts or consultation structures across my Department and other Departments.

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