Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government strongly supports the Lansdowne Road agreement, LRA, as the centrepiece of public pay policy, noting that the Labour Court's recommendation was explicitly made within that framework. However, the wider implications of the recommendation in regard to the continued operation of the Lansdowne Road agreement as it applies to all public servants across the public service are under careful consideration and assessment by  Government. In that regard, I met with ICTU representatives on 7 November last to get an early input to those considerations by Government from the public services committee of ICTU in terms of the views of the constituent unions.

Senior officials within my Department also met with the public services committee of ICTU where both sides reiterated their commitment to a continued collective approach. It was also agreed  that those issues arising in regard to the terms of the Lansdowne Road agreement could be more appropriately dealt with by the parties under the relevant provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement. In this regard both parties agreed to remain in ongoing contact over the coming weeks on this matter.

The Government will continue to engage as necessary through public service management with the public services committee of ICTU and other representative bodies, under the oversight and governance arrangements provided within the Lansdowne Road agreement. The provisions of the LRA provides a mechanism to address issues that arise in relation to the agreement. It is incumbent on the parties to the agreement to utilise the mechanisms to address issues that arise in relation to that agreement.

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