Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Benchmarking has been agreed, is being implemented and is an integral part of the social partnership arrangements which have transformed the economy over the past 16 or 17 years. Needless to say, it will not be up-ended. Benchmarking is an alternative to traditional relativities which were not satisfactory from the perspective of industrial relations. It is, according to the PPF, a "coherent and broadly based comparison with jobs and pay" right across the economy and an integrated approach for the purposes of comparing work and reward.

Implementation of the benchmarking award is contingent on four factors: Co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change; satisfactory implementation of the agenda for modernisation set out in section 26 of Sustaining Progress; maintenance of stable industrial relations; and, the absence of industrial action in respect of any matters covered by the agreement. The argument, therefore, that benchmarking has nothing to do with industrial peace is wrong. Figures I obtained from the Central Statistics Office show that in 2002 we had the greatest degree of industrial peace since 1970.