Cowen takes charge of negotiations as pay deal under threat

BRIAN COWEN last night moved to take personal charge of negotiations with the social partners as the national pay deal looked under renewed threat.

The Taoiseach is heading talks with employer groups today as the Government tried to inject fresh imputes into the process. He was intending to “set out his stall” to all sides in the talks in the wake of the disastrous year-end exchequer figures revealed this week.

The Taoiseach will also lead talks with trade unions tomorrow on the matter as speculation again mounted the Government wanted to radically alter the national pay deal.