CORI says poor must benefit from partnership talks

The Conference of Religious in Ireland has said social partnership talks, which began in Dublin this morning, must produce a generous package for the less well-off in Irish society.

The Government, trade unions, employers and voluntary groups are discussing a possible successor agreement to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Fr Sean Healy of CORI said: "While we have incomes above the European average, our housing and our public transport is way below the European average as are our healthcare, our education and social welfare.

"That's the real challenge - to get one up to the other."