Noonan and Fleming clash over FF provisions on public pay

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have clashed again over the lack of provision in Fianna Fáil's election manifesto for a public service pay increase following the expiry of the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said Fianna Fáil's manifesto uses up all resources available in various commitments and promises and makes no provision for public sector pay increases after 2018, when Lansdowne Rd runs out.

He said there was a black hole in the Fianna Fáil figures. “At present they are 1.2 billion, or so, short.”

Mr Noonan contrasted this with Fine Gael’s approach in its manifesto which sets aside €1.12 billion for “other” purposes “including pay and pensions post-Lansdowne Road agreement” in its €10.1 billion plan.

Defending Fianna Fáil position on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, party spokesman on Public Expenditure and Reform spokesman Sean Fleming said Mr Noonan had said it would be unwise to give a precise figure as it would give away the government's negotiating position.

“I think Michael has lost it. I did have confidence in him up to a while ago. He has contradicted himself compared to what he said on radio recently when he said no minister of finance should give a figure because to do so was to give away the negotiating position.”

Mr Fleming said Mr Noonan was giving the impression that €1.2 billion was the table for pay. “He is giving the impression that this is available.”

Mr Fleming also pointed to Labour’s manifesto which states that they will negotiate a new public sector pay deal in 2018, in advance of the conclusion of the Lansdowne Road Agreement to deal with remaining unresolved issues arising from the financial emergency legislation.

In the context of the current political polls Mr Noonan was asked if he would consider being part of a coalition that included Mr Fleming. “Never. Never is the word.”

Although the Fianna Fáil manifesto sets out principles to be followed in any future public pay negotiation, there is no allocation for pay beyond Lansdowne Road commitments in the €8.36 billion it has already set aside from its €8.6 billion plan.