Harney says social partnership key to economy

Tánaiste Mary Harney says social partnership is the key to transforming the country.

Speaking at the Progressive Democrat's Annual Conference, she told delegates the Government could not pander to the vested interests of minorities.

Mary Harney said no-one in Ireland is impressed with the number of work stoppages and strikes by various groups.

"If we become concerned with the interests of a few rather than the public interest, that is the day that our social partnership will wither and cease to be effective" she said.