Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to put on record that we discussed this targeted redundancy package in this House last June or July, before the summer recess. Some people were surprised by the announcement but if they had been listening to us in the Chamber they would not have been surprised. The matter was discussed here and flagged months ago.

I ask the Minister to confirm that this will be a Government decision rather than something negotiated under the Croke Park agreement. That agreement does not deal with reductions in numbers. That is a Government decision, like the early retirement package of last February. Such matters are Government budgetary decisions and the Croke Park agreement helps to manage the process but does not set the agenda for the numbers.

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