Extremely difficult and complex discussions took place between public service management and public service staff representatives, seeking agreement on a series of measures that will secure an additional €1 billion annual saving from the public service pay and pensions bill by 2015. A key requirement for the health service during the process was to protect front-line care while at the same time significantly reducing costs.
The Draft Public Service Agreement 2013-2016, put forward by the Labour Relations Commission, provides for the elimination of twilight payments and any equivalent payments across the health service; the public service staff unions are currently considering the outcome of the negotiations.