Rabbitte: Allowances issue will be tackled 'in future'

A senior Cabinet Minister said today that the issue of public service allowances will be re-examined, but only as part of the Croke Park deal.

Minister Pat Rabbitte said that the Government is conscious that the rationale for some public service allowances is no longer valid.

He has backed calls by the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions David Begg for the issue of allowances to be reviewed and updated.

"The Government is conscious of the fact that, in some cases, it would appear, that the original rationale for some allowances is no longer valid," said Minister Rabbitte.

"And in that case, no doubt, that will be addressed in future, and in line with the Croke Park Agreement."