Social partnership talks set to be restarted

THE Government will attempt to avert the threat of escalating industrial unrest by inviting the social partners back for talks on a national response to the economic crisis.

Jack O’Connor, president of the country’s largest trade union SIPTU, said if his union received an invitation to talks, it would attend.

“However, if the mindset of the Government is still as it was, I find it difficult to see how we can conclude an agreement,” he said.