Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Under Vote 18 - shared services - a sum not exceeding €21.019 million is being provided for. Under Vote 19 - the Office of the Ombudsman - a sum not exceeding €7.437 million is being provided for.

We debated these provisions line by line at a committee yesterday. The point of contention was that 2% of the overall sum relates to apportioned pay savings that I need to find. It would be impossible for me to present Estimates with square brackets around sums. I need to put them in a way that is clear to people. If a different solution can be presented to find €300 million in savings across all the Estimates, I will be happy to make such amendments and revert to Deputies on that basis. I ask the House to bear with the normal process and allow for the business of government to continue. If changes to any pay deal are agreed through negotiation, I will be delighted to be the first to come in here to ask for the approval of the House for such adjustments to be made.

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