The social partners have agreed to take part in a week of intensive negotiations from Monday in a bid to secure a new national wage agreement. This follows two hours of meetings with the Taoiseach at Government Buildings.
In a statement after the conclusion of the talks, the Taoiseach welcomed the fact that the parties had affirmed their commitment to further discussions. Brian Cowen has told the parties he is ready to assist the process in any way he can.
Earlier, the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, David Begg, said that a new pay deal would not be possible if the whole cost of economic adjustment were to fall on lower and middle income people.
Mr Begg said that employers' group IBEC was in no position to advocate wage restraint when IBEC members had awarded themselves a 30% pay rise last year. IBEC director general Turlough O'Sulllivan had said that employers were prepared to share the pain. But Mr Begg said he could see squadrons of pigs flying by in the sky before this would happen.
Speaking earlier, Mr O'Sullivan said he was less than optimistic that a deal could be done, given the deteriorating economic situation. But he said he was hopeful that the social partners could work together in the national interest. He also reiterated his call for a year-long pay freeze in the public service.
