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

I will be doing my best to represent the interests of citizens. I will be in Japan and Korea, but it does not matter where I am, I am always aware of the commitments I have. I am also aware of the commitments I have to those who work in public services and who have undergone tremendous changes in their circumstances to allow the economy and country to get to this point.

A legal commitment is laid out as part of a process in regard to the FEMPI Act which requires its renewal - or not - to be laid before the Oireachtas by the end of June each year. In doing so I must have "regard to the overall economic conditions in the State and national competitiveness" and the "revenues of the State and State commitments in respect of public service pay and pensions". My last review was informed by the instability in the international economy, the still fragile nature of our economic recovery, the level of our debt, the need to borrow and the obligation to comply with the Stability and Growth Pact. To date, none of those factors have lessened appreciably, while the risks of international economic instability have, if anything, increased.

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