Formal talks on finalising a new national partnership agreement resume today at Government Buildings, with the focus now on the social provisions of the deal.
Unions are pledging to drive a harder bargain on pensions. The executive council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said the draft deal presented yesterday does not meet that demand and is going back to Government for a review.
The employers' group, IBEC, has recommended acceptance, saying the 10% pay increase over 27 months is the most the country could afford.
There is broad acceptance of the pay terms of the deal, which will be paid in four phases.
However, private sector unions were bitterly disappointed at the absence of a local bargaining clause for profitable sectors.
