Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. What I inherited was a useful and important enabler for change. I have said that publicly and I acknowledge that. I have worked the agreement to the very best. It is not, however, a robust enough instrument to get us to where we need to be by 2015.

Deputy Fleming made some points about fairness, with which I would not disagree. However, there is no point in saying I would love to do something, even if it is demonstrably fair, if it is not possible legally or would risk being overturned by the courts.

I do not want to be too expansive in discussions here before I talk to representatives of workers directly which, as a matter of courtesy, I should do. In the context of a new extension to Croke Park, however, I hope to be able to deal with a number of issues that Deputies across the House have, fairly, put on the table. I will keep Deputies informed as we make progress along the way. I hope all Deputies will use their influence to encourage engagement with the process to bring about a conclusion that will be good for public service workers and the public at large and will guarantee that we will get out of our dependency on the troika programme and back to normal funding at an early date.

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