John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There appear to be conflicting views from the Government. Would the Minister accept that many people in the public service have seen their pay dramatically reduced over the last number of years? It started with the pension levy which, I accept, this Government did not introduce. Even those in the public service who were not entitled to any pension had their hours increased and sick leave reduced.

During the week, Mr. Robert Watt, Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, said that public service staff will have to continue to implement work practice reforms and improve productivity in future. In addition, the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, says he would prefer more staff and fewer earning more. Would the Minister, Deputy Howlin, agree that the time has come to lift the moratorium, if we are to get a decent public service? It has not happened, however. An example of that is where class sizes have increased but the number of teachers has been reduced.

Increasing expenditure in the public service also increases consumer spending which allows the economy to grow. What are the Minister's views on lifting the moratorium on public service recruitment, which many in the trade union movement have said is essential?

See this speech in context