A number of considerations are worth noting. First, this rate of increase is lower than that of any of the last four years. In 2003 a six-month pay pause for the public service was secured, which meant that all the increases due under Sustaining Progress are to be paid in 2004. The pay pause in 2003 saved the Exchequer about €180 million this year. The 2004 increase does not just cover benchmarking but comprises the general round increases under Sustaining Progress, costing €540 million, and the 2004 increases arising from benchmarking, costing €305 million. A total of €265 million of the additional pay cost is due to other factors such as the payment of the increase due to the application of the part-time work legislation in education, an increased provision for the EU Presidency, increments, an extra pay day in 2004 for some staff and an increase in the number of pensioners. Benchmarking accounts for just over a quarter of the expected increase in the pay bill. If we wish to provide quality public services which benefit all sectors of society, we must continue to pay public servants at rates which are reasonably comparable to those in the private sector. Otherwise we will not be able to attract and retain good quality public servants.