Ministers accused of ‘dysfunctional dithering’ after key decisions put off

Ministers were accused of “dysfunctional dithering” as the Cabinet again put off key decisions and launched a Croke Park savings push branded “synthetic”.

No agreement was reached by the Coalition on cutting public sector allowances or the looming children’s referendum — despite both issues being on the Cabinet agenda for months.

Ministers did agree to ask all departments to “drill down” and assess by next Wednesday what savings could be made under the current Croke Park deal in the short term.

After months of delay, the Cabinet had been expected to sign-off on plans to cut the €1.5bn allowances and perks bill for people on the Government payroll.

But although the move was again discussed by ministers, no action was ordered, with a spokesperson for Public Sector Reform Minister Brendan Howlin stating there would now be “further discussion” on the matter.

Fianna Fáil finance spokesman MichaelMcGrath accused Mr Howlin of “bottling it”.

“This is just more dithering from a Cabinet that is showing increasing signs of dysfunctionality.”

Mr McGrath said the move on Croke Park was “synthetic looking”.

More than 800 allowances exist in the public sector, including keyholder and shoe payments.

The Coalition had promised to slash such entitlements by €75m this year and a further €300m in 2013/2014.

However, private secretaries for the Taoiseach and ministers are set to have payments cut.

Under current rules a minister’s private secretary receives an allowance of €20,685 on top of basic salary, while the private secretary to the Taoiseach receives €24,427.

Ministers were also unable to announce the wording of the children’s rights referendum they had pledged to hold this autumn — or even to give a date for the constitutional poll.