Inflation and health to dominate Union conference

Rising interest rates and problems in the health service are expected to dominate the biennial conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in Co Donegal this week.

More than 600 delegates are expected to attend the four-day event, which gets underway in Bundoran today.

The Taoiseach is due to address the meeting tomorrow, while health officials, hospital bosses and the chief executive of the Equality Authority are also among the scheduled speakers.

Among those due to address the conference are the Taoiseach, health officials and hospital bosses, and the Chief Executive of the Equality Authority.

ICTU general secretary David Begg says the controversy over the Government's divisive plans to allow private health facilities on the grounds of public hospitals will be a huge issue for delegates.

Rising interest rates and rising inflation will also be high on the agenda, with unions already warning that they will seek extra pay in the social partnership process if measures are not taken to address the situation.