FEMPI legislation timing
Deputy Sean Fleming asked when the 2017 FEMPI legislation would be published and passed, given planned talks on extending the Lansdowne Road agreement. The Taoiseach said FEMPI had been reviewed annually and that he would confirm the Minister’s intended timetable.
Rather than wasting time.
Comment on this
The Government has recently confirmed that it will be introducing FEMPI legislation for 2017 - a Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill. We all know that legislation, among other things, deals with pay and pensions for public servants. The Government has agreed that new talks will take place to extend the Lansdowne Road agreement which by definition will require amendment to the FEMPI legislation.
Will it be published and passed before people are expected to vote on the pay and pension amendments that might follow and will that be published before the summer recess in mid-July?
Comment on this
Or the annual review of FEMPI, which is also due next month.
Comment on this
FEMPI has been reviewed every year since it was introduced. I believe the Minister has referred to a date for this. I will confirm to Deputy Fleming what is the Minister's intention. His view of having an extension to the Lansdowne Road agreement includes all of the unions, starting with the official engagement and then taking it to an intensive level pretty soon. I will come back to the Deputy on the issue.