Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand amendments Nos. 8, 9 and 26 are being discussed. Section 2B of the Bill provides that an existing power to fix terms and conditions may be exercised by the relevant employer or Minister of the Government so as to result in less favourable remuneration other than core salary or increased hours for the public servants concerned, notwithstanding any of the terms of any enactment, contract or other document provided for. This is what it states. It is necessary to get the required savings. I hope these powers will not be exercised in the immediate future and that we will have an overarching agreement on the terms negotiated and brokered by the Labour Relations Commission and encompassed in what is called the Haddington Road agreement.

Amendment No. 9 is inconsistent with the terms of the section and cannot be accepted, as it refers to a pay reduction. Amendment No. 26 seeks to amend section 8, which provides a power to the Minister to exempt individual public servants or groups from an increment freeze on limited and exceptional grounds. I explained on Second Stage that it is important there is a residual power for the Minister to exempt individual public servants where an unintended anomaly is created in the circumstances. This is a residual power which is there.

I must tell Senator Byrne that this replicates language already in the original Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, which was supported by the Senator in a past existence.