Howlin defends Croke Park deal

PUBLIC Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has pledged to cut the public pay bill further while tackling “waste” in services, but has defended the Croke Park deal with trade unions.

As families brace themselves for a raft of new stealth taxes and charges which kick in this week, Mr Howlin said no decision had been taken on cutting special bonuses and perks for public service workers.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, he defended the Croke Park deal and attacked pay increments in the private sector.