Kenny brands state talks with unions a ‘charade’

TALKS between the Government and unions ahead of next week’s budget were described as a “charade” by Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny as he launched his party’s alternative to the Government’s budget.

Mr Kenny said he would not have engaged in such discussions if he were Taoiseach.

His party’s alternative to the Government’s budget proposes cutting the overall public sector pay bill by 3.2% as well as a 10,000 reduction in public sector staff numbers.