Cowen scoffs at claim Lenihan ‘sank’ pay talks

TENSIONS at the top of Government did not wreck the chance for a landmark pay deal in the public sector, Brian Cowen said yesterday.

The Taoiseach dismissed claims from Labour that Finance Minister Brian Lenihan had “sunk” the deal in a bid to wrestle power from him.

During stormy exchanges at Leader’s Questions, Eamon Gilmore said the Taoiseach had caved in to pressure from Mr Lenihan to scupper a public pay deal.