Coalition tensions on increase over public sector pay

TENSIONS are growing between the Coalition partners in the run-up to the budget, with some in Fine Gael claiming savage cuts will be necessary because Labour is protecting the pay of public sector workers.

The Croke Park Agreement is the “elephant in the room”, according to first-time Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty, who said it has to be revisited so that services are not sacrificed in order to preserve pay.

She said it was “absolutely startling” that pay makes up 70% of the health budget.