Sir, - Padraig Yeates (The Irish Times, November 3rd and 4th) quotes me as indicating at the launch of the NESC Strategy Report that there could be a "payless" national agreement.
Asked by your reporter whether such a development was possible in the event of failure to reach agreement on pay, I indicated that, while this was at least conceivable, it was not envisaged by the council. It is the view of the NESC that there should be "a negotiated consensus that includes agreement on pay, tax reform, the public finances, infrastructure, housing and policy to address social exclusion". - Yours, etc.,
Dermot McCarthy, Deputy Chairperson, NESC, South Frederick Street, Dublin 2.