Public sector pay deal ‘within reach’ – Tánaiste
Discussions are taking place between trade unions and Government representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Talks on reaching a public sector pay deal are continuing on Tuesday, with the Tánaiste saying he believes an agreement is “within reach”.
While negotiations are ongoing, the planned public sector strike is still scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Discussions are taking place between trade unions and Government representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). They are expected to continue until mid-morning.
It is understood the engagement with the independent group, led by commission chairman Kevin Foley, will conclude on Tuesday with hopes pinned on reaching an deal.
Some 50,000 Fórsa members have registered for rallies and 20,000 of those are to take part in the Dublin rally.
Simon Harris said that “significant process” has been made.
Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, Mr Harris said: “I’m very conscious that in Ireland today significant efforts are under way to try and resolve issues in relation to a public sector pay agreement. I think very significant progress has been made.
“The Government made a new and revised offer in recent days. I strongly welcome the fact that the Workplace Relations Commission will resume discussions between all parties today and I would really encourage everyone to make that last push to try and get an agreement today.
“An agreement that provides certainty to workers, that pays our public servants a decent wage for a decent day’s work, and that also brings industrial relations, stability and peace back to Ireland.
“I really believe that a deal is within reach. I’d encourage everyone to work intensively towards that today.”
Pressure is mounting on the negotiations ahead of the nationwide public sector strike on Thursday, coinciding with the key event of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Around 50 heads of state will be in Dublin for the European Political Community (EPC) summit on Thursday, which will see the largest security operation in the history of the country.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I made my comments yesterday that I don’t believe there’s a basis for strike action.”
Speaking ahead of the Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin, Mr Martin said that deliberations taking place on Tuesday should happen confidentially.