Minister for Finance has said private sector workers should not feel left out by talks to restore pay for those on the public payroll, as Minister for Public expenditure Brendan Howlin begins talks with public unions to discuss a gradual reversal of pay cuts imposed in recent years, the 

Speaking in Brussels, Michael Noonan says private workers are also being given concessions - and should not feel they are being excluded from

"We had quite a significant levy on private-sector pensions and in the last budget I took steps to remove that completely," he said.

"There will be no levy on private-sector pensions from next year - so if part of the approach is the levy on public service pensions, then there's an equivalence of approach with the private sector having their impositions removed first,” he added.

Mr Howlin is beginning talks with public unions this week to discuss the gradual reversal of pay cuts imposed during the economic crisis.

Ministers have warned that they will expect public staff to make concessions on issues like productivity, as part of any pay increase.