Unions want faster restoration of pay if economy improves

Public service union leaders have signalled to the Government they will want an acceleration of plans to restore pay levels if the economy continues to grow.

Senior figures in the public service committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions yesterday held a first meeting with the new Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe. Speaking after the meeting the chairman of the committee, Impact's Shay Cody, said the union leaders had set out their perspective on pay recovery "including our belief that there will be a strong case for more rapid pay restoration if faster-than-expected economic growth continues to improve the exchequer position".

A spokeswoman for Mr Donohoe said he had “emphasised the importance of the Lansdowne Road agreement as the industrial relations structure for the public service”.