The Government has "over-delivered" on its economic targets in the last 10 years and if the proposed pay rise for its members was linked to the performance of the economy during that time, it should be even higher, according to the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea.
Mr O'Dea also said calls by the Opposition to link the pay rise, which is to be deferred for one year following an announcement by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern earlier this week, to clearly defined goals or targets were "impossible" and "too ludicrous for words".
He sought to emphasise how the economy had improved since the Fianna Fáil-led government took office in 1997.
"I would hope that we are showing that [we are earning the pay rise]. I mean to say the economy, since this Government took office in 1997, the economy has improved by leaps and bounds, more so than any economy in Europe," he told The Irish Times in Templemore yesterday.
"I mean if you were linking it to the pay rise, it should be even higher, if you were linking it, when you compare like with like 10 years ago."
He claimed it would be impossible to devise a system whereby individuals such as High Court judges could be set clear goals which were to be met before they receive their pay rise.
"I mean, realistically, I don't see how it can be done. And I mean the Opposition can say what they like, but let them explain clearly how it's going to work in practice," he said.