Hi °C | Lo °C FINE Gael and Labour ministers have supported Public Spending Minister Brendan Howlin’s claim that public sector workers won’t be hit again if they can find another €1bn of savings in pay talks.
Mr Howlin said current negotiations with the unions should reach an agreement that will last until 2016, and this would be the last round of concessions until then, barring some “calamity outside of our control”.
Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said he “absolutely” agrees with Mr Howlin, and added he “sincerely" hopes and believes "the matter will not be raised again” once agreement is reached.
Mr Rabbitte was turning the sod at Holy Rosary National School in Tallaght in his Dublin South-West constituency today along with Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes, who is also a local TD.
Mr Hayes agreed the unions should not be asked for more if agreement can be reached in the coming weeks.
“I think so, the idea that you could come back a second, a third or a fourth time, that’s not possible in the circumstance,” Mr Hayes said. “This will be the deal that will resolve this issue.”
