Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, and others are merely pointing out that a condition of the IMF and EU deal is that if by the appropriate date the terms of the agreement have not been delivered there will have to be some consequences. It is not a threat, it is a reality. While some savings have been achieved, it is an agreement that needs to be accelerated. It was signed off on and has been difficult to accept for some people, but it is an agreement that is in place. We want to see it implemented in full.

We do not want to see a situation whereby the consequences for numbers or pay are forced upon us. That will not be necessary if the agreement is delivered on in full. That is why the pace of change and the delivery of more effective services needs to be accelerated.

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