Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister’s confirmation that talks will commence in coming weeks. I agree that wage agreements have provided stability and avoided industrial unrest over recent decades. That is to be welcomed. It is important that these talks are fair and that they deliver value for the taxpayer and that any increases are proportionate, that is, that those in the middle and lower incomes get the greatest increase because those are the people who need it most.

It is critical we have an adequate performance review stitched in. I hear what he said about previous performance reviews over the last years but I am told the performance review categories have reduced from five categories to two. Currently, the only categories for staff appraisal are that they are performing satisfactorily or non-satisfactorily. That is not satisfactory. We need to ensure we have proper appraisals in place for our public sector to ensure that we are also getting value for money.

See this speech in context