Put public workers ‘first in pay queue’

A public service trade union has said public sector workers should be “first in the queue” for restoration of their pay levels before the Government considers tax cuts across the economy.

Brendan Lawless, president of the Public Service Executive Union, which represents executive grades in the civil service, admitted it would be premature to suggest at this point that the “dark days” of austerity are behind the country.

However, addressing delegates at the union’s annual conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, he said it would also be remiss not to note the signs of recovery coming back into the economy.