There is much to commend the concept of benchmarking. It is based on the principle of a quid pro quo, or a deal that in return for a substantial increase in pay for public servants, there would be a substantial increase in productivity by each of the sectors to benefit, leading to a substantial improvement in the quality of public services and greater public service efficiency. However, there was no quid pro quo for this deal and no productivity arrangement was agreed. For example, there was no attempt to negotiate with individual unions or sectoral groups clearly defined objective or targets, where existing work practices would be critically examined and agreement reached as to how, in return for a generous wage increase, the public would benefit from better services and greater productivity and efficiency. The whole exorcise undertaken by the Government simply involved additional increases for teachers, gardaí, prison officers and civil servants with nothing secured in return.