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

It is approximately 500 this year and I have no reason to believe it will be any less than 500 next year or the following year. If it is €40 million a year, that is a significant contribution over a couple of years. I suggest the Minister might take a case to the Labour Court and see what it decides and whether this can be negotiated. I would much prefer to see the public sector unions defend low paid workers and their increments. If this was taken to the Labour Court, they might see the Minister's point of view.

See this speech in context