Public sector pay - Talks enter a turbulent period

The extravagant pay increases awarded by the Higher Review Body to high earners in the public service was a form of “benchmarking”, as many of those covered by the report — including judges, chief executives of semi-state companies and agencies and university presidents — were excluded from that process.

One of the exceptions of course — as always — was the political class. In a neat double whammy, the cabinet benefited from benchmarking as TDs and from the Higher Review Body’s increases as ministers.

One salient detail of that report that has gone largely unnoticed will play into pay negotiations in the new year as well as the second report of the benchmarking body, due out in early January.