Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. In this spirit, when does he envisage the talks commencing? Can he confirm whether it will be March or April? He has set out his view that anything agreed will have to be sanctioned and accepted through the normal democratic channels of the trade unions and representative bodies. Can he be more specific on his idea of the wind down of FEMPI? We are on the same page about the fact that people have taken an enormous hit, particularly people on lower pay in the public service, of whom there are many, despite the propaganda at times that they are all coasting along on massive salaries. Although there is overpayment at the top, some people are struggling. What does the wind down of FEMPI mean and who does the Minister propose to prioritise? Will he start at the bottom with those who are struggling the most?

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