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

I agree with the Minister insofar as I do not believe anybody imagined that in one fell swoop pay, pensions and so on would be restored. I do not think there was any such expectation. I would like more detail from the Minister in respect of how he envisages the unwinding of FEMPI playing out. Where does he propose to start? Does he propose to start with pay or pensions? Is he considering flat rate or percentage increases?

The Minister indicated he has not yet formally opened discussions with the unions. Has he met unions or anybody else informally in respect of these matters? I was struck a week or more ago by the fact that one of his senior officials was sounding warnings that a public service pay deal was not certain and seemed to be throwing cold water on any notion of such a pay deal. I would like him to respond to that.

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