Government to discuss reversing public sector pay cuts

The Government is to discuss reversing pay and pension cuts for public sector workers as they prepare for the end of the "financial emergency".

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said that talks will begin on reversing strict emergency financial measures that were brought in when the economic crisis hit.

One of the most contentious measures was a pension levy of 7.5% and an average pay cut of 6.5% for each public sector worker.

He also said that the cuts to nearly 300,000 workers will not be reversed as a "big bang" as that would undo the efforts of the past three years.

The talks will not get underway until next year.