Ahern describes benchmarking bill as ‘horrendous’

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said that the benchmarking report due to be published today will add a "horrendous" amount to the public sector pay bill.

However, Mr Ahern added that his Government cannot cherry-pick from the report’s recommendations.

Details of these recommendations were leaked to the media over the weekend.

The report proposes an average pay rise of 9% for public servants, including around 13% for teachers, 8% for nurses and 5% for gardai and prison officers.

One-quarter of the pay rises will be paid immediately and will be backdated to December.

Mr Ahern said the implementation of the remainder of the rises is up for negotiation.

The unions representing various public servants are expected to give their responses in the coming days.