The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources says a difficult budget in December can’t be avoided.

Eamon Ryan says taking the hard decisions now will help restore confidence in the country – and return Ireland to prosperity.

Talks between union officials and the Government will resume this afternoon at Government Buildings – on the plan to cut the public sector pay bill by 1.3 billion euro.

Minister Ryan says everyone – both public and private sector workers – will have to play their part in addressing the crisis.

“We’re determined that everyone plays their part – private and public” he said.

“We’re determined that what we do is as fair as possible, it’s not easy there’s no easy solution”.

“But within those parameters yes I think we have to…go ahead and get a budget through which restores confidence in the country and I think that is possible” he added.