The Taoiseach has said he is happy to engage with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on concerns the union movement has in advance of a new pay round.
Earlier today, ICTU formally decided to defer a decision on going into a new round of partnership talks.
The decision was taken at a delegate conference in Ballsbridge in south Dublin this morning.
ICTU General Secretary, David Begg, said the present climate was not right to address the serious issues facing the parties, including jobs displacement and exploitation of workers.
Last night, ICTU's Executive Council voted unanimously to recommend the deferral to delegates.
It followed an earlier decision by the country's largest union, SIPTU, to stay away from partnership talks for the time being.
SIPTU wants specific commitments from the Government on measures to prevent exploitation of workers before it agrees to enter talks.
Meanwhile, the Communications Workers' Union says that over 200 staff and former staff members from An Post protested outside the meeting.
The protest was part of an ongoing dispute over the non-payment of Sustaining Progress entitlements to staff and pensioners.
Union members are calling for the payment of entitlements.
