National pay talks may resume

The prospect of employers, unions and government agreeing a new national pay deal was enhanced last week after the head of Ireland’s largest union said he would accept an invitation from Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, to reopen talks early next month.

“My union will accept an invitation from the Taoiseach” said Jack O’Connor, president of Siptu, although he added that the prospect of a deal was still “too close to call”.