O’Keeffe: Unions should return to talks next year

DESPITE the collapse of the talks with unions to secure €1.3 billion in public service pay savings, Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe is optimistic that unions will return to discussions on public service reform next year.

Although more than 300,000 public servants face pay cuts looming in tomorrow’s budget, the minister said unions had agreed in the last few weeks how they and the Government need to negotiate into the future.

“Nothing has changed, they know we’re going to have to make further savings next year.