Fine Gael backs Croke Park public sector pay deal

FINE GAEL has given its backing to the Croke Park agreement on public service pay and reform, even though it believes the deal falls short of what is required to reform the public service.

Party leader Enda Kenny last night said the terms hammered out between the Government and trade unions “offer pay stability for both the Exchequer and public sector workers”.

“The Croke Park deal falls far short on the scale of reform needed to transform our public services,” he said. “While it does include some welcome and long-overdue reforms in the areas of staff redeployment and flexible hours, the deal leaves the core structural weaknesses of the system untouched.”