Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

10 o’clock

On the Deputy's last question, the report is already before the House. I signed off on it on 29 June and it should now be available in the Oireachtas Library.

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, 2009 and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2010 were introduced unilaterally by the previous Administration to deal with the fiscal crisis.  The Government introduced the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Act, 2011 on foot of a referendum of the people, and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2013 following negotiation and agreement with public sector trade unions. These Acts are collectively known as the FEMPI legislation.

In my statutory role under the FEMPI legislation, I am required to carry out a review and report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on the operation, effectiveness and impact of the Acts and to consider whether any of the provisions of the Acts continues to be necessary. As I indicated, my most recent report was completed and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the legislative requirements on 29 June. Regrettably, given the scale of the financial crisis arising from the actions of the previous Administration, it is required to continue the FEMPI measures in operation.  The expenditure reductions and savings generated by the legislation remain an integral and necessary part of the financial adjustment required to meet our deficit targets under the Stability and Growth Pact. 

I have indicated in the report that, subject to the ratification of the proposals made by the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, and the associations representing public servants, the Government approved my proposal to bring forward the necessary amendments to the legislation to facilitate implementation of the agreement during the course of next year.

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