Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has announced that the Government is to start a series of meetings and a process of dialogue with the trade unions, the employers and the leading social partners.
The meetings will be held to discuss the current economic situation, industrial relations matters and any solutions the partners may have on these issues.
Addressing delegates at the SIPTU conference in Ennis, Co Clare, Mr Gilmore said while the country is not likely to return to the social partnership structures that existed in the past.
He said there are real benefits for a country such as Ireland from effective social dialogue, to give greater certainty to investors to maintain industrial peace and strengthen social solidarity.
The series of meetings will begin in November between the Government and leading social partners meeting on a periodic basis.
They will involve the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Enterprise.
Mr Gilmore also announced that the Government will reinvigorate the National Economic and Social Council to give a stronger role to the social partners in finding solutions to common problems.
