Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her comments. The programme for Government is very clear. It states:

We will establish a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the public service, including entry levels of pay. We will support the gradual, negotiated repeal of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.

As the Deputy will be aware, this is already under way. It is an orderly, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation. I remind the Deputy that, because of careful and prudent management of the economy and not without difficulty, the unemployment figure yesterday was 7.8%, down from just over 15% five years ago, which represents a very significant improvement, but we need to do more. Obviously, as resources come into the economy, one can spend and divert them into areas of disadvantage.

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