Howlin: Any pay increases in public service must be done slowly

The Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has said there cannot be a "big bang" of pay cuts being reversed for all public sector workers in one go.

Howlin told the Dáil that he wants a phased and structured approach to the reversal of the pay cuts, which are due to last until July of next year.

He said discussions will begin with unions in the Spring. That will be after the first quarter exchequer returns are known.

He hopes to have an agreement before October's budget.

However, Minister Howlin said public sector workers need to be realistic that they cannot have the pay cuts reversed too quickly.

"The day will come where there won’t be an emergency. There can’t be a big bang" said Howlin.

He went on to say "There has to be negotiated wind down."