Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I respect the Deputy's views. That is the way it is and I have no issue with that whatsoever. I am also glad that Deputy Wallace mentioned the figures from the CSO. Those figures on low pay differ from time to time. That was one of the reasons why I asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to prioritise the defence sector as a matter of urgency. I requested that the case of members of the Defence Forces be examined by an independent pay commission. I asked the Minister to do that. He has the report and I have the report. It is now the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to bring that report to Cabinet. It is not my report and it is not my memo.

As I have stated, and I address this point to Deputies Jack Chambers and Durkan as well, public sector pay is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I do not have that responsibility. Different countries differ in how they organise things. I am awaiting the outcome of the report, for the contents to be seen and then for a decision to be made.

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