Cowen insists pay deal will not be re-negotiated

PUBLIC servants who think rejecting the Croke Park pay deal will lead to a re-negotiation are “just wrong” the Taoiseach said, insisting it is the only option on the table.

“The position won’t change on either side. Government will still be faced with the same budgetary constraints,” Brian Cowen said in a speech to party members in Cork last night.

As 300,000 public sector workers decide whether to vote for or against the deal in ballots over the next six weeks, Mr Cowen called on those who are against it to “spell out” their alternatives.