TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has given a fresh indication that the Government may reconsider the controversial ministerial pay increases as part of its bid to secure overall national wage restraint in a new social partnership deal.
Speaking after addressing the Impact conference in Kilkenny yesterday, Mr Cowen said the national pay talks were the right context for discussing increases for Ministers.
Mr Cowen has been criticised for seeking pay restraint generally while standing to receive an increase of €38,000 in his own salary.
Asked about ministerial pay rises, Mr Cowen said: "If we can get to a position where everyone is prepared to come forward with a responsible approach to help us secure as many jobs as possible in the more difficult economic environment, then clearly Government has a role to play in that as well."
In his address to the conference, Mr Cowen also warned about excessive pay rises at the top level in the private sector. "Just as the public sector must behave responsibly and in accordance with proper policy approaches, there is also an onus on those in the private sector who are in a position to do so, to set and observe a proper degree of responsibility when it comes to setting income levels, having regard to the wider demonstration effect which they inevitably will have," he said.