Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not doubt the value of that work. There will be experienced heads around the table and that experience is needed now more than ever. When the Minister met the commission on Monday, did he discuss the current situation with it and seek advice based on its members' experiences in the private and public sectors as to how he might steer through this situation?

The timeline is admirable, but the train is about to leave the station and the PSPC might be left behind. Given the experience of its members and their ability to do deals and manage situations, it would be a shame if they remained apart from the current challenges facing the Minister. He should use their experience and views.

Regarding what the Minister wants the commission to do, the second quarter is any time between now and the end of June 2017. He then expects to move into a budgetary discussion and a negotiation with the unions ahead of budget 2018. It is an ambitious timescale, particularly given the external pressures. Does he expect the timescale to be maintained? What timescale does he anticipate for pay talks with the unions?

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