Talks on reversing public-sector pay cuts 'probably' next month

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has said that formal discussions with unions over public sector pay will "probably" begin next month.

Minister Howlin says his Department has been working on what will be possible over recent months, and he will bring proposals to Government soon.

He said that it will take longer than a "year or even two years" to dismantle the emergency FEMPI structure and there will be no return to the social partnership model.

Minister Howlin said that public pay measures will not be part of next week's Spring Statement - but that will be a starting point.

"Obviously we're formulating those now," he said.

"In the first instance we'll bring them to government and then I will open discussions with the public- sector unions.

"The objective is probably to start formal discussions in the course of May."