Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent partnership negotiations. [24962/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Since 1987 Social Partnership has helped to maintain a strategic focus on key national priorities, and has helped to create and sustain the conditions for remarkable employment growth, fiscal stability, and a dramatic improvement in living standards which has benefited the people of this country. The challenges facing us now are no less complex or less important than they were back in 1987.

I believe Towards 2016 develops a new strategic framework to address key social challenges and focus on the needs of all in our society. This approach will take time to deliver and the Agreement sets out how we propose to measure and review progress over a ten-year framework period.

The Agreement sets out the terms of the pay increases for the private sector and the public service for a twenty-seven month period. While the total increase is significant, I am confident that it can be economically sustained. The Agreement also sets out an agenda for further modernisation of the public service. Payment of the increases in the public service will continue to be dependent on verification of satisfactory implementation of this agenda and the maintenance of industrial peace.

I am confident that the targets set out in the Agreement will be met.