Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy was in government with me from 2011 to 2016 and saw at first hand the challenges faced by the country and the decisions that had to be taken. Now that we are in better economic times, there is an opportunity to give back to all public servants what was taken from them during the recession. That is why the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, has set out a clear timetable for pay restoration for anyone earning less than €70,000. As the Deputy is aware, all public servants who signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement received an increase. The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, signed up very early to that agreement and PDFORRA signed up earlier this year and received back payments thereunder. As the Deputy is aware, further pay increases will be paid under the Lansdowne Road agreement. The Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill 2017, which addresses FEMPI measures, passed through the Dáil last week and is currently making its way through the Senate. As I stated, it will be a matter for both associations to ballot on that and I encourage them to return a positive outcome in that regard. There has also been provision for a €5,000 increase for all members of the Defence Forces who joined since 2013.

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