Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will outline the truth of the situation for Deputy Martin. Let me assure him and everybody else the Government is absolutely united behind the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in his declaration and negotiations that we need to find €300 million in extra savings from payroll this year and €1 billion by 2015. There is absolute unity of purpose in Government towards achieving this objective. I recognise the result of the ballot yesterday. I point out to Deputy Martin the mandate given by the Government to the Minister, Deputy Howlin, was to open negotiations and discussions in a full, open, truthful and constructive fashion and the Labour Relations Commission came forward with its proposals. These proposals were based on a fair and equitable contribution from the public sector given that 35% of expenditure is allocated to public sector payroll and pensions. This was done specifically to defend front-line services and to keep a very clear view of the progress the Government has made with the people in terms of the path we have been following towards recovery of our economic independence and towards achieving credibility internationally and growing our own economy so we can provide jobs for our people.

The Government will now consider the outcome of the ballot and its consequences. The bottom line is absolutely clear. We must and will find €300 million of extra savings this year from payroll and this is the challenge the Government now faces. Obviously we will reflect on this. Last Sunday, Deputy Martin's spokesman equivocated with regard to €60 million out of the €1 billion in savings between now and 2015. When Fianna Fáil had the opportunity on two occasions it imposed unilateral cuts without any discussion. At least the Government entered a very open, consultative and truthful situation with the public sector and gave it the time and space to make its decision in the proper fashion. It has made its decision. The arithmetic does not change and neither does the bottom line. We need to find €300 million of extra savings this year from within payroll and the Government is absolutely united behind the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in achieving these because they are necessary for our country and the broader impact of the challenge people have faced throughout the country to clean up the mess we inherited.

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