merrion street

Minister Howlin welcomes the recommendations tabled by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) this morning, following intense, overnight negotiations on a new public service agreement.

The Minister said " these proposals constitute a fair and balanced agenda to repair our public finances."

Acknowledging the significant work undertaken at the negotiations, the Minister said " the revised measures recommended by the LRC meet the budgetary targets of the Government and address many of the concerns expressed but the staff representatives during the negotiations. All public sector workers have already made a significant contribution to our economic recovery, however, these further measures are absolutely required to achieve a sustainable payroll cost."

While it now is a matter for each union to table these proposals to their own membership, the Minister hoped that the requirement for these balanced measures would be accepted by public servants.

Read the key elements of the deal here.