Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I cannot let the assertion of bluffing go unchallenged. I could make pointed comments but I will not, given the limited time available. The Deputy should not try to drag me into a row that he has been trying to keep going for well over a week. The Haddington Road agreement reached with the public sector unions was clear-cut in how it went about its business. It made it clear where the savings would be achieved on pay and pensions and at what levels they kicked in. The sum the Minister has put in the public domain in one we will stand over proudly. He and his officials have engaged with the committee and the Deputy on this.

We are very proud of what has been achieved under the Haddington Road agreement in maintaining and extending services through significant gains in productivity. As I said in my initial contribution, we are moving to higher ground, where as a result of budget 2015, we can finally look at increasing front-line staff numbers in key and important sectors such education and health, as well as the number of gardaí. We can also look at engaging, post the Haddington Road agreement, with public sector unions on where we go from here. The Minister will be publishing an annual report on public sector reform which will deal with the Haddington Road agreement in line with the commitment he has given. He is a Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform who has done nothing but add to the level of transparency in government and who will continue to do so.

I cannot accept the amendment for the reasons outlined. It is not appropriate to include such requests for reports in primary legislation.

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