Vol. 505 No. 4
58 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the work, if any, carried out by his Department in preparing for negotiations for a successor agreement to Partnership 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13855/99]
My Department is, in the ordinary course of its business, considering all the main aspects of a possible new agreement.
In addition, the Department of Finance participates actively on the national economic and social council which, as requested by the Taoiseach, is preparing a strategy report which will provide the framework for a new agreement.
The Department also has been involved with other public service employers in discussions with the public services committee of ICTU on a range of issues including the pay determination system in the public service and, in particular, in that context, how pay might be aligned more closely with performance in any future agreement.
