Public Service Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has refused to reverse cuts to the pensions of retired public servants, saying all of society must play its part in ensuring the economic survival of the State.

The Government is to press ahead with cuts to the pensions of public servants in spite of the payroll savings proposed under Croke Park II.

The Government is operating undemocratically and akin to a “dictatorship” by pursuing cuts to the incomes of more than 20,000 public service pensioners without any form of consultation with those affected, it has been claimed.