Micheál Martin: Country cannot afford to jettison Lansdowne Road Agreement

The country cannot afford to “jettison” the Lansdowne Road Agreement by accelerating pay restoration of public sector workers, according to Fianna Fáil.

The Government is under increasing pressure from public sector unions to start talks on a new pay deal early in the new year or face widespread industrial action.

However, the main opposition party, which the minority government relies on for support, has now put the squeeze on from the other side by demanding the Lansdowne Road Agreement remains in place. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says now is not the right time to begin a new round of talks.