Howlin ignores decision on Croke Park II proposals

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Seán Fleming has said the government is ignoring the decision of public servants to vote against the Croke Park II proposals by pushing ahead with the Revised Estimates 2013 today, which contain the proposals that have been roundly rejected.

“Minister Howlin’s decision to plough on this afternoon despite genuine requests from the Opposition to find a way to deal with this issue is extraordinary.  Such was the Minister’s deafness to any reasonable argument on this issue I did not feel it appropriate to continue to participate in the Select Sub-Committee discussion of the 2013 Estimates.”

The revised estimates 2013 largely follows the budget day allocations with the Pay Deal recommendations by the Labour Relations Commission having been programmed into Departmental Estimates.

“I welcome the fact that the government is asking the Chief Executive of the LRC to make contact with the parties in the coming days to establish if there’s a basis for a negotiated agreement.  However, for this initiative to have any prospect of success, I believe that the Government needs to demonstrate that it is proceeding in good faith and that it respects the decision of the public service in rejecting the original deal.  Proceeding with estimates based on the rejected deal does not show good faith; indeed it appears to be simply the latest chapter in the story of divide and conquer, bribery and threat which has characterised the Government’s approach to this process to date.”