Minister Kelleher welcomes renewed dialogue between social partners and Government on economic recovery

Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr Billy Kelleher TD, today (Wednesday, 25th March 2009) welcomed the announcement by the Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions of their decision to accept the Taoiseach’s invitation to take part in talks on a new national agreement on economic recovery and, as a consequence, to defer the industrial action that had been planned for next week.

Following the announcement by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions , Minister Kelleher remarked “ I look forward to a process of renewed dialogue on the prospects for a joint accord on the way forward. Employer representatives have already signalled that they can identify some shared elements of interest with the proposals set out in the ICTU Plan for National Recovery (There Is A Better, Fairer Way).

Both employers and trade unions have already put forward ideas that are entirely consistent with the thrust of the Government’s adjustment package. I am convinced that there is now a basis for building upon this shared commitment by the Social Partners to work with the Government to deliver the fiscal stabilisation required to steer Ireland out of our current economic difficulties. “

ENDS/LA318