Taoiseach pessimistic over pay talks
Sunday, 5 January 2003 17:07
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that the breakdown in the national pay and partnership talks is serious, and that he is worried and pessimistic over the issue.
On RTÉ's 'This Week' radio programme, Mr Ahern added that the game is not up for a national agreement and that he and his officials would keep working throughout this month to drive the process forward.
While he ruled out getting personally involved in the negotiations, the Taoiseach said he would be prepared to do so only if the talks collapsed.
Responding to Mr Ahern's comments, The Director General of the Employers' Organisation, IBEC, said he was not very optimistic about the chances of achieving a new national agreement.
Turlough O'Sullivan said it was clear from the exhaustive discussions before Christmas that it was not possible to bridge the gap between the sides, but he said that might change.
Mr O'Sullivan said whatever was done, it was absolutely essential that Ireland's competitiveness was not undermined.
