Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

This phrase has been used in other agreements and has been clarified by the facilitators of the agreement when clarification was sought by the public sector trade unions.

There is a full understanding on its meaning and content. It is important to point out that if this agreement is ratified, then the Government as an employer will implement the agreement in a bona fide manner.

I do not accept the Deputy's contention that this is a limited agreement. It provides an important platform, setting out the details of public service commitments on the reduction of staff and staff redeployment, reconfiguration of the design and delivery of services, looking at the issue of performance and skills, sectoral agreements, pay and pensions policy, performance verification, the mechanism to resolve disagreements, as well as a commitment to a stable industrial relations climate. This is a very important draft agreement which will be ratified in the weeks ahead for those who have yet to consider it. It is a matter of importance that this is the best agreement that can be negotiated.

I note that the Deputy is suggesting that he will be imposing other issues beyond what is agreed here, should he ever get into Government. That will be an interesting development to watch.

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