Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not have that information before me but I make the general point that industrial peace continued throughout that period. Certain payments were made where the bases for them were adhered to and where they were not adhered to, the payments were not made. The full year cost of benchmarking was in the region of €1.2 billion. Deputy Kenny will be aware that the changes we introduced last year, which are being implemented on the basis of the Croke Park agreement, will have a full year effect of €1.8 billion.

See this speech in context