Howlin: Everybody in public service will have to give more

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said that everybody in the public service will have to give more, along with the rest of the country.

Brendan Howlin made the comments as public service unions prepared to meet today to consider a government invitation to talks on the future of the Croke Park Agreement.

Minister Howlin said he wanted another €1bn of savings in the public sector by 2016.

He also said fairness would be the hallmark of the new round of talks with unions.

"In terms of regular bulk of public servants - teachers, nurses and gardaí - I think they have made a significant contribution," he said.

"But if you look objectively at it, they have a security of tenure and a decent pension system in place."

He added the country was in "a desperate situation".