I asked the Taoiseach yesterday about the public service pay deal and the promised legislation arising from it. He was unclear yesterday and was not in a position to outline the time schedule for the legislation in respect of the Payment of Wages Act, hours of work, times, pay and conditions. This was outlined in the report of the Labour Relations Commission, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform subsequently confirmed that there would be legislation. When can we expect that legislation to be published? Can he give us a time schedule for it?

The discussions on the agreement are over and it is now being considered by the trade unions. In the LRC proposals it is noted that legislation is necessary to implement several of the measures encompassed by the proposals. The legislation is necessary to reduce the pay of public servants regardless of whether the LRC proposals are passed in the ballot. Legislation will also be needed to adjust the pension levy and to make changes to pensions in payment. The legislation will include provisions to cut the pay of senior staff and office holders, including members of the Government, the Oireachtas and the Judiciary. Preparations are under way to draft the legislation and it will be brought before the House in a timely way to ensure that it will be in operation by 1 July. If the ballot is favourable the legislation will implement the proposals reached under the auspices of the LRC. In the event that the measures proposed by the LRC are not passed in the ballot, the Government will have to consider the measures necessary to meet the expenditure targets of €300 million in savings this year and €1 billion by 2015.

Is there one Bill to cover the pay and pensions issues? Would it need separate legislation if that is not passed?

The various elements of legislation to which I have referred are being prepared and will have to be implemented by 1 July. If the ballot is favourable the legislation will implement the proposals that the LRC has already negotiated and agreed. If the measures are not passed in the ballot the Government will have to consider the measures that it needs to take to meet the expenditure targets of €300 million in savings this year and €1 billion in savings by 2015.