§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in negotiating a pay settlement within the Northern Ireland Civil Service following the recent industrial action; and what steps the Department of Finance and Personnel have taken to engage in pay negotiations with union representatives. [151621]
§ Mr. PearsonExtensive negotiations over several months did not result in an agreed pay deal for the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration this year. Management Side presented an offer worth 3.67 per cent. on 5 November. As this could not be agreed, and Trade Union Side declined to negotiate within the 3.67 per cent. envelope, we took the decision to proceed to pay the award and communicated this to staff and Trade Union Side on 27 November. I have made clear to Trade Union Side that the 3.67 per cent. deal is the maximum that can be paid. We are however open to exploring other reasonable means of resolving the dispute. A further meeting of the Central Whitley Council between Trade Union and Management Sides has been arranged.