Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the fair and equitable negotiations with the 21 unions which took place, the result was that 87% of workers - those who earned less than €65,000 - would not have had their core salaries affected. I do not agree with Deputy Higgins that I should make an announcement to abandon ship. The Government has set out its position very clearly. There is a requirement as espoused by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, whom I support fully, for savings of €300 million. That is why the Government asked this morning that the Labour Relations Commission engage with the unions to establish if there is a basis for further discussion and negotiation to achieve the savings.

I hope that can happen within the next two weeks.

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