Noonan rules out national wage deal

Calls for a national deal on wage increases for workers to help stimulate economic growth have been shot down by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

The Fine Gael minister said yesterday that four in 10 private firms last year had given employees salary increases. But he ruled out any future national wage deal for workers.

His opposition follows calls by trade unions for wage increases for workers within the parameters of the Haddington Road agreement, the pay deal between public sector workers and employers.