Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on any recent discussions he has had with the social partners. [43029/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Following the publication of the Second Annual Report from the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement Implementation Body in June last, together with the Taoiseach I met with the Body on 11 July. The Deputy will be aware the Body's membership includes representatives from the Public Services Committee of ICTU.

We took the opportunity to emphasise the need to accelerate the implementation of the various initiatives under the Public Service Agreement and to fully utilise the provisions of the Agreement to secure efficiencies and reforms.

I also hold periodic meetings with trade union leaders and officials of my Department meet with stakeholders including representatives of public service trade unions on a regular basis as part of routine consultation in the context of the implementation of the Agreement and the broader public service reform agenda.

In recent weeks the Government requested further proposals for savings and reforms from Ministers under the Agreement and those proposals are currently being examined. In this context the Taoiseach and I will be meeting with the Implementation Body again shortly as part of that process.