Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have today flatly ruled out compulsory redundancies in the public service.

Their comments come after suggestions by the Transport Minister Leo Varadkar that compulsory redundancies would have to form part of any new Croke Park deal.

He said the current agreement made it virtually impossible to lay off workers who are not performing.

However, speaking at Farmleigh in Dublin, Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore said that compulsory redundancies are not on the table.

"[The Croke Park Agreement] does not envisage any compulsory redundancies," said the Taoiseach.

"It is delivering, and as has been outlined by both Government Ministers and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the targets and the objectives set by Croke Park are being achieved, are being delivered."

The Tánaiste stated: "Compulsory redundancies are ruled out by the Croke Park Agreement.

"Compulsory redundancies are not on the agenda, full stop."