THE TAOISEACH said he agreed with the Ictu general secretary’s assessment about the basis of any resumed social partnership talks.
Brian Cowen said David Begg was right to say “it would be unwise to resume formal negotiations unless there is a reasonable degree of confidence that agreement on all the central elements can be found”.
Mr Cowen said he would continue to be available for dialogue and went on to defend the public sector pension levy.
“I say to everyone that the Government is seeking to address this issue, and the magnitude of the problem we face, in a fair and equitable way on the basis of this first measure, which should not be isolated from the series of measures that will have to be taken in terms of both fiscal policy and further expenditure adjustments.
“The State is not in receipt of the revenues it had in the past and, therefore, must make adjustments with the aim not just of trying to re-establish industrial relations harmony but of retaining jobs as far as possible.”
The Taoiseach was replying to Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who said the State was facing a spate of strikes over the next couple of weeks.
“The anger felt by these workers is understandable when one considers that the lowest-paid worker in a hospital is having his or her wages cut, while this week the Minister for Health and Children announced that the highest-paid people in our health system – hospital consultants – are to get a major increase.
“That increase was announced on the very day the HSE announced it would cut frontline services.”
Mr Cowen said: “I do not believe industrial relations strife or strikes will contribute very much towards addressing the problems we have.
“They will contribute nothing, in fact. I recognise the right, in a democratic society . . . the right of any person to withdraw his or her labour or to protest.
“That is within our democratic way of life. However, it does not add anything to the situation.”
Mr Gilmore said the Taoiseach would have to make up his mind on how he was going to deal with the crisis facing the State.
“He cannot say that he wants to bring everybody with him, or invite the Opposition to be constructive, if he swipes at us with a partisan kick whenever we try to be constructive.
“Similarly, he cannot say he wants to hold discussions with the social partners if, when they engaged in discussions and reach agreement with him on the objective of cutting public expenditure by €2 billion, he then drops them the details after midnight without allowing time for consideration or discussions aimed at reaching agreement.”
