Ceist 6. There will not be time for any supplementary questions, I am afraid.

6.

asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the role of the public service pay arbitrator.

The roles of the various Public Service Arbitration Boards are set out in detail in each of the public service conciliation and arbitration schemes, copies of which are available in the Library. While this role differs slightly from scheme to scheme, broadly speaking, the role of the arbitration board is to consider and report on claims submitted to them in accordance with the scheme.

In this context I would refer the Deputy to paragraph 4 of the 25th round proposals entitled "Industrial Relations Harmony" which provides that:

In the interests of actively promoting industrial relations harmony the parties shall

(a) without prejudice to the rights of the parties to refer claims to adjudication, endeavour to the greatest possible extent to resolve claims and differences without recourse to adjudication;

(b) engage in meaningful discussions on changes desired by either of the parties to this Agreement in the Conciliation and Arbitration Schemes including, inter alia, matters raised by the Official Side or the Staff Side in previous correspondence and discussions.

I would be hopeful that these talks would lead to mutually acceptable changes which would promote good industrial relations and result in the continuation of full co-operation between both sides.