Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has said the Government will outline a spring economic statement which will set out the parameters for future pay talks.

He said he expects it will be debated in the Dáil.

Mr Howlin said he has a duty to engage with public sector unions about how to unwind financial emergency legislation that underpins pay cuts but that has to be done without putting the country's progress in jeopardy.

He said the Government must also ensure that quality public services are sustained as well as the efficiencies which have been brought about as part of the Haddington Road Agreement, which comes to a natural conclusion in 2016.

SIPTU President Jack O'Connor earlier said no one has spoken to the union regarding a deal between government and unions on pay.

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr O'Connor said his union was carrying on its work and if someone had something to say they would listen.

Asked for his reaction to comments by Mr Howlin that there would be no bonanza for public sector workers, Mr O'Connor said he would not imagine there would be any bonanza.

He said SIPTU was not preoccupied with talking to people who "haven't had much interest in talking to us for the last five or six years".

He also criticised proposals by the Central Bank to limit mortgage lending by imposing a 20% deposit requirement.

Mr O'Connor said it was a classic case of doing the wrong thing at the wrong time and slamming the stable door after the horse has bolted.

He said it would depress domestic demand, the rate of growth and employment, crucify people who are trying to save to buy a house, exacerbate the rate of rent increases, and do everything that is both socially and economically negative at the same time.

Mr O'Connor said if it was to be done it should be phased in over a 20- or 25-year period.