Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the pay front, discussions have taken place between the Government and the public service unions on public service pay. They have broken up for the time being, but the Government is open to re-engaging in the public service pay talks. Meanwhile, in the private sector there have been various agreements in different sectors between different companies and their employees in respect of pay.

The Government has taken substantial measures in respect of fuel, transport costs, healthcare costs and education costs. Our view is that the situation is serious; there is no doubt about that. The pressure on people is enormous.

We want to do a comprehensive package in the budget that will be sustainable right through the winter. Our objective is to get people through what will be a very difficult winter, both here and in Europe, as well as globally.

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