Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Adams says we need a strong and properly resourced public sector. Everyone can agree with that. However, we need to have fairness across the board for every worker in the country.

We have come through difficult times, as Deputy Adams is well aware. He should understand that the Government, made up of its different elements, will not sacrifice the hard-won gains that have been achieved by the people in recent years. We require a well-managed process that can look at the broader context of where the country is now and where we think it can be in five or ten years time. That means not only looking at individual public services but at the public service in general as well as looking throughout the country for public and private workers. There is a need to be fair in what we do.

The Government has said that we stand by the Lansdowne Road agreement. The Estimates and the associated ceilings are set. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has acknowledged that the Labour Court recommendation brings added pressure to the responsibilities he must discharge.

The Government will respond in this way. It will set out a process that can be well managed, that will be in the interests of every worker in the country and that will provide for the betterment of public services generally, which is something that people need.

I put it to Deputy Adams that the public service pay demands have to be balanced against the constraints upon the Minister and the Government. There will be a collective whole-of-Government response. This has to take into account the question of productivity gains in the delivery of better public services for everyone. There must be fairness as part of this as well.

The Government will respond collectively in setting out an agenda, structure and a strategy by which we can best manage the circumstances in which we now find ourselves as a country. We must not have a situation whereby it becomes sector versus sector. There should be fairness right across the board for public and private workers. The Minister has asked his officials to deal with the relevant committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. I think that meeting takes place this evening.

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