The president of the country's largest union, SIPTU, has said a great deal still needs to be done before it can enter talks on a new national pay agreement.
Jack O'Connor said it was not entirely clear if unions and the Government were at one in their efforts to tackle worker exploitation and job displacement.
He said SIPTU could not enter talks until there was a real possibility of ensuring that what happened to Irish Ferries workers could not happen again. Union leaders are expected to hold initial meetings with the Government this week.
