: What steps have the Government taken since 10 March to set a pay policy or to commence negotiations with the public service? What intentions do the Government have in the whole matter of pay at a time when there appears to be a completely vague attitude in the background of the devaluation of the weekend which will further affect pay packets?

: There is nothing at all vague about this. The Government issued a paper on 10 March last in which they formally stated their position on pay policy for 1983. That paper, having noted the views of the ICTU and the FUE, briefly described the background to the pay negotiations. Respecting the right of all parties to enter pay negotiations, the Government expressed the view that there should be a pay pause until the autumn and that increases in low single figures should follow. The Government also considered that pay agreements negotiated should be for not less than 15 months. I understand the Deputy has tabled a broadly similar question to the Minister for the Public Service in relation to his role.

: I am trying to get some information but it is not easy to get it. Is the Minister saying that the statement of 10 March is a Government decision on pay policy? Is he saying he is no longer giving the employer or trade union representatives any play, that the Government have decided there will be a long pay pause at the end of which there will be a very low percentage increase? If that is so, what steps have the Government taken, on the other hand, to ensure stability of prices during the period.

: Any reading of the Government statement will indicate that the Government's position is quite the opposite to what the Deputy has suggested. There is no question of the Government seeking to dictate in this matter.

: Has the Minister any views on whether negotiations should take place quickly especially, for example, where agreements have expired?

: Negotiations in the public sector are a matter for the Minister for the Public Service. Later on the Order Paper the Minister will be answering questions. In the case of the private sector the Government have indicated what their wishes would be.

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