asked the Minister for the Public Service the level of increase it is intended to offer public service workers under the 25th round; how this figure compares with the average increase in the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Service Pay.
12.
It would be inappropriate for me to prejudice the outcome of any negotiations on public service pay by giving details of any intended offers. Details of the offer already made to Civil Service unions on 27 November last in reply to their 25th round claim and which they are at present considering are set out in my reply to Priority Question No. 32 on today's Order paper. It will be noted from the joint statement issued after the meeting that it was agreed that no further public statement or comment would be made by either party.
There are no official data on the average level of settlements in the private sector. The indications are that there is a significant spread of increases between firms, reflecting the trading circumstances and the ability of individual employers to pay.
Will the Minister accept that the 5 per cent offer over two years is worse than a pay freeze? It is a severe cut in real wages. Can he indicate if he has accepted that, in view of the fact that it is generally claimed that the offers so far in the private sector have reached 10 per cent over 12 months, 5 per cent in two years would be a real cut in wages?
Two questions appear to be contained in the Deputy's supplementary and one implication in the latter part. The answer to all three would be "no"
I accept that the Minister has said "no" although I cannot understand how he can say that 5 per cent over two years would not be a real cut in wages in view of inflation. Let me ask another question. Is the Minister claiming inability to pay in the negotiations?
As I indicated in my reply, by agreement between the Civil Service unions and my representatives at conciliation council, at the request of the union side a joint statement was issued afterwards outlining the details of the offer made, but the union side asked that there be an agreement that no public comment be made by either side. I am very anxious to respect that as I have always respected confidentiality clauses in relation to any of the normal procedures which are used. I hope the Deputy will appreciate the sensitivity of this matter at present. I think it would be inappropriate if I were even to appear to be making a comment now.
I recognise the sensitivity etc., but in the normal course of events, hypothetically would the Minister regard it as appropriate for a Government to claim inability to pay their own employees? Would he not regard it as inappropriate for any Government to claim inability to pay?
That sounds like argument.
I would regard it as inappropriate to deal with hypotheses as the Deputy suggests. The Deputy said he was putting an hypothetical question and I do not think it is the business of Government to deal in hypotheses.