Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. He has indicated that he will make any change that might be required to the FEMPI legislation to facilitate the latest public sector pay agreement. However, he is saying, on the one hand, that we are still in a financial emergency and, on the other, that we can give pay increases to public servants. I agree with the latter but not the former. The FEMPI measures were introduced in 2009 and we are now in a different landscape as a result of the agreements we put in place. The Minister inherited these measures and largely implemented them faithfully, which has led us to a situation where there is no longer a need for the emergency measures as originally contemplated in 2009. Will he talk to the Government Chief Whip about organising a debate on the FEMPI legislation in this House or, alternatively, arrange for a debate on the matter at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform? I am sure the Minister would welcome the opportunity to attend a meeting of that committee to discuss the most recent report. It would be very helpful to have that discussion before the summer recess.

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