The Dáil has heard that the public finances would be 'jeopardised' if cuts to public sector pay were reversed immediately.

The public expenditure minister Paschal Donohue has issued a new appeal to some trade unions to accept the Lansdowne Road pay deal.

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.

Paschal Donohoe told the Dail it was important to gradually undo the pay cuts through pay deals, rather than in a single act: