16. (1) Where the operation of section 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 or 15 results in the basic salary of a public servant to whom the particular section applies being higher than the basic salary applicable to the next immediate point, or (if such is the case) any higher point, on the pay scale that applies to the public servant, the Minister may, having taken into account all of the circumstances that relate to the existence of the differential between the points on that scale—

(a) by direction, increase the basic salary applicable to, as the case may be—

(i) that next immediate point, or

(ii) that higher point, and, if appropriate, one or more of the points below that point,

on that scale to such extent as the Minister thinks fit so as to maintain an equitable differential between the points on that scale, or

(b) determine that in respect of certain categories of public servant to whom that scale applies, the basic salary to be paid, for the time being, to those public servants shall, to such extent as the Minister thinks fit so as to maintain an equitable differential between the various salaries payable to the several public servants to whom that scale applies, be greater or less than an amount provided by a particular point on that scale.

(2) In the case of a public servant who is an employee or officer of the Central Bank of Ireland, a reference in subsection (1) to the “Minister” shall be construed as a reference to the “Central Bank Commission”.