Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he consulted with the Equality Authority as to whether paying new entrants to the public and civil service lower wages, salaries and allowances was contrary to employment equality and general equality legislation; and if he did, its response to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57728/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The then Minister for Finance Mr. Brian Lenihan announced in Budget 2011 that a 10% reduction would apply to the pay rates of new entrant public servants with effect from 1 January 2011. It would not be normal practice to consult the Equality Authority on an announcement made as part of the Budget nor on matters of public service pay policy. They have not contacted my Department on the matter.

I would note to the Deputy that the State and its bodies must, in the normal course, be in full compliance with all provisions of employment and equality legislation in the development and implementation of policies, including its employment policies, and may be held to account on those before the appropriate tribunals or courts.