The Minister for Finance this evening urged the Dáil to commend the Government's economic polices and restated the success of the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF).
He also refused to accept that Government fiscal policy was inflationary - reminded the Dáil that annual inflation had fallen to 5.6 per cent, down from 7 per cent at the time of the Budget.
Mr Charlie McCreevy said apart from the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) dispute there were no outstanding pay claims over and above the terms of the PPF.
He said the ASTI claim has been rejected by their own sectoral industrial relations machinery - the Teachers' Arbitration Board - and also the Labour Court.
Mr McCreevy said the Government as employer had remained firm in its determination to ensure that the PPF was not breached.
He said the PPF provides essential stability for the country's economic and social progress. Adhering to the terms of the agreement would maintain competitiveness and deliver increases in take home pay for workers and social welfare recipients.