Ahern sticks to guns over ASTI talks

The Taoiseach has repeated his determination not to engage in negotiations with the ASTI outside the terms of the national pay agreement.

Speaking in the Dail, Bertie Ahern said he was ready and willing to begin discussions if the union wanted to do so within the industrial relations machinery of the State.

However, the opposition has slammed his position as stubborn and obstinate.

Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan urged Mr Ahern not to make "cannon fodder" out of students.

He accused the coalition of acting like "a hard-nosed employer" rather than a national government.