merrion street

I have previously stated that public servants require the space and time to consider the LRC proposals for a Public Service Agreement in the round before voting on it. Nonetheless, as the Minister charged with leading this process, I believe it is incumbent upon me to highlight once more our economic position:

• The talks process commenced with an analysis of the fiscal challenge facing the Government. The broad outline of that challenge has been reinforced by independent commentators such as the IMF and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council in recent days.

Both confirm the centrality of the savings target set out by the Government to Ireland achieving its fiscal targets. The €300m savings figure is in the budgetary arithmetic for 2013.

• It is simply dishonest to say that there are no consequences arising from a “no” vote, as the representative of Unite union did this morning on Morning Ireland. The reality is that the consequences are real and have wider implications for the Irish economy.

The “no” unions are only offering uncertainty to public servants.

• A “yes” vote offers certainty and protection for public servants and a backdrop by which the State can continue its path to recovery. After all, these proposals protect the core pay of 87% of public servants in a fair and balanced set of proposals