Pay deal talks on verge of stalemate as partners play the blame game

SOCIAL Partnership negotiations at Government Buildings are verging on stalemate after three weeks of difficult talks between unions and employers.

The impasse means that the Government’s target of reaching an agreement to replace the last deal, Sustaining Progress, by mid-March is looking increasingly unrealistic.

Pouring further cold water on that possibility, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) general secretary David Begg emerged from talks yesterday saying the Government’s initial six-week target may have been too optimistic.