As the Deputy will be aware the Government stated its intention to require public service pensioners with pensions in excess of €32,500 to make a further contribution to the budgetary consolidation measures, in conjunction with the contribution being sought from serving staff. That was noted in the Labour Relations Commission proposals for a new public service agreement.
Following the non-acceptance of those proposals by the Public Services Committee of the ICTU, the Government yesterday reaffirmed its requirement for €300m of pay and pension bill savings in 2013 and €1bn by 2015. The Government further agreed to request the CEO of the Labour Relations Commission to make contact with the parties in the coming days to establish whether or not there is a basis for a negotiated agreement to meet these budgetary targets.