Owen Reidy: Government must not sacrifice wage growth when addressing cost pressures

It has now become the accepted paradigm in the EU institutions that higher levels of collective bargaining, such as unions and employers negotiating on pay and conditions of employment, leads to stronger and more sustainable economies for both workers and business

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris will have many demands ringing in his ears when he becomes Taoiseach tomorrow. Picture: Dan Linehan

Simon Harris is set to become Taoiseach when the Dáil convenes tomorrow and he will have many demands ringing in his ears.

Since January we have had various business groups out on the airwaves lamenting the cost of doing business, criticising the Government for their modest but necessary labour market reforms and predicting significant job losses.