The Dáil has heard claims that scrapping the legislation to impose pay cuts on public workers would "jeopardise" the public finances.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe says the country cannot afford to undo public pay cuts in one swoop - and a staggered approach is needed.
He was speaking as TDs debated the possible repeal of the so-called 'FEMPI' legislation which has imposed pay cuts on public servants for seven years.
Minister Donohoe says he understands why some want the laws scrapped - but that Ireland simply can't afford it: "I fully appreciate the impact of pay reductions on individual public servants.
"But now is not the time to jeopardise our economic progress with the unaffordable, immediate repeal of the FEMPI legislation.
"We remain committed to the implentation of the Landsdown Road agreement which has commenced as sustainable unwinding of that legislation."
