I believe the Government is seeking advice from the Attorney General with regard to options to impose public sector pay cuts if there is no hope for the Croke Park II agreement. Can the Taoiseach inform the House if the Government is proposing to introduce legislation to impose cuts on public sector pay?

The Government authorised the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to give the chairman of the Labour Relations Commission a few extra days to engage with unions with regard to Croke Park II. I hope some progress can be made in that regard. The chairman of the LRC will report to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on Monday and the Minister will brief the Cabinet on Tuesday on the outcome of the discussions and the options open to us. The bottom line remains at €300 million of savings this year, leading to €1 billion by 2015.

Unlike the €350 million under Fianna Fáil.

The Minister will have a briefing from the chairman of the LRC on Monday.

Deputy Healy-Rae asked half of my question. The Taoiseach indicated 1 July is the date by which €300 million must be taken out of the public sector. By what date must legislation be passed if the Taoiseach does not get agreement to implement the cuts on 1 July? When must it be passed by the Dáil?

I prefer to allow the extra time for discussions to take place between the unions and the LRC and to have the chairman of the LRC brief the Minister on Monday and the Minister report to the Cabinet on Tuesday. The Government will consider the outcome and the options at that time.