Howlin: Talks to begin on reversing public-sector cuts

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has said he hopes to begin reversing pay cuts and pension cuts to public servants in the coming years.

Minister Howlin said he hopes to begin talks next month on how to reverse the financial emergency measures in the public interest legislation that deliver €2.2bn in savings to the exchequer.

He again warned that all that work could not be done in one go, and would be staged over time.

Minister Howlin said there was already agreement to reverse cuts to those earning more than €65,000 up to 2018, and he wanted to focus on those at the lower end of the payscale.

"I want to hear the views of all the public sector unions, but it is my view that those on the lowest levels of income should benefit disproportionately more," he said. "I will try in negotiations to achieve that objective."