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

I thank the Minister for that answer and acknowledge he has said that these are gross savings. I know he cannot put an exact figure on it but presumably the net savings to the Exchequer as a result of this will be approximately 50% of that when one takes in PAYE, PRSI, pension levies and other deductions. Nobody can put an exact figure on it. The document that was produced does not give us any information about the amount of money that can be saved as a result of the proposals on working hours; the reduction in public service numbers; the savings in terms of overtime, premium pay and weekend work; the increments issue; and, the savings in terms of former public servants receiving pensions. I have no concept of how that document adds up to €1 billion. The Minister needs to be able to cost that and show me. If he can do that, he will increase the public acceptance of this document. He cannot just say "there's the document with no costing and yes, it meets our budgetary target." He must give us that information so there can be a proper, informed discussion and decision. It is like a referendum. This is a referendum among public servants who are entitled to have the full information about the implications of this. That is the information I am looking for. Can the Minister provide it?

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