Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 November 2014
34. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Haddington Road agreement expires; if he has indicated to the public sector unions if and when talks on a successor agreement will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42050/14]
View answerThe Haddington Road Agreement came into effect on 1 July 2013 and forms the cornerstone for public service pay policy over a three year period. Over the first 15 months of its lifetime, the Agreement has been a key enabler in reducing the cost of the public service pay and pensions bill. The cost reductions and productivity increases, and the reform dividend which the Agreement has facilitated, have allowed the Government the scope in 2014 to recruit additional staff to key frontline services. This demonstrates that the Agreement is delivering and is making a significant contribution to the Government's fiscal consolidation deficit target of below 3% GDP by 2015.
The public service unions have indicated their intention, should the State's financial circumstances permit, to lodge a pay claim next year. If such a claim is made the Government will of course have to consider it, in line with the prevailing fiscal position. The legal position concerning the financial emergency legislation, which has underpinned the public service and pension reductions to date, will also have to be addressed in that context.
