Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I thank both Deputies. I do not want to give any illusion that we will not have other instances between now and February. I do not know whether any senior civil servants are contemplating retiring and if they have a contractual arrangement, I may not be able to dislodge it. I have asked for advice on this. As I stated, I will not make false promises nor will I accrue legal costs to grandstand on it. However, we will fundamentally reform the system. We have already done so by capping top-level pay, starting with ourselves on our first day in government. We migrated this through all levels of the public service and we will copperfasten this process in law in the new pensions Bill. I hope Deputies on all sides of the House will engage with us in this reform process and support the legislation when it comes to the House before the end of the year.

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