Coughlan: National pay deal not up for negotiation

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan has publicly insisted that the national pay deal is “not up for negotiations”.

It followed a statement by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in which he clarified that pay was not raised during his meetings with the social partners earlier this week.

The assurances calmed the trade unions, which had sharply reacted to earlier government hints that the pay deal might have to be re-examined.