Creation of body examining public servants’ working hours welcomed

The body which will be chaired by Kieran Mulvey, former Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission, will examine the issues arising in addressing the additional working hours for public servants provided for by the Haddington Road Agreement.

It is tasked in accordance with the agreement with bringing forward recommendations by the end of 2021.

The agreement also provides for two key governance structures charged with dealing with problems, issues of interpretation and major disputes - the Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG) and the Tripartite Implementation Body (TIB). The Government has appointed Kevin Duffy, former chair of the Labour Court, as chair of these bodies.

Mr McGrath said: “The independent body to examine the additional working hours for public servants arising from the Haddington Road agreement is an important part of the new public service pay agreement and I am delighted that someone of the calibre and experience of Mr. Kieran Mulvey has agreed to Chair the body. I look forward to seeing the outcome of the body’s work in the period ahead.

“The PSAG and TIB bodies have a crucial role to play in ensuring the smooth implementation of this agreement and to deal with matters of strategic or national importance regarding the implementation and interpretation of the agreement. I have no doubt Mr. Kevin Duffy will be a very effective Chairperson of both these bodies and I would like to thank him for agreeing to serve.”