In 1996, the Labour Court recommended that An Bord Trachtala evaluate about 22 outstanding grading claims using the system agreed with the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union. The recommendation was signed on 1 April 1996. The union sought a review after the Department of Finance declined to sanction the scheme. An Bord Trachtala argued that an ongoing system could increase public-sector pay costs and hinder future staffing changes. The Court also recommended that the parties discuss how future grade claims could be handled.