Average public sector earnings were up 4.7 per cent in September 1998 when compared with September 1997 and up 1.9 per cent from just three months earlier.

Under Partnership 2000 public servants were entitled to pay rises up to 2.5 per cent last year.

Very large increases in Garda earnings pushed up the figures. Garda earnings, including overtime, rose by 8.3 per cent; excluding overtime Garda pay increased by 5.3 per cent.