Ahern welcomes fall in Live Register numbers

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today welcomed positive news on the Irish economy which showed a fall in the numbers on the Live Register.

The CSO said the numbers signing on actually increased by 4.3% in June, but when seasonal factors were taken into account, the numbers fell by 1,000.

"The Live Register figures released today show nearly 9,000 fewer claimants than in the same month last year, giving an unemployment rate of 4.3%. It is clear that the economy has returned to a strong growth path," said Mr Ahern.

The Taoiseach also reiterated his belief that benchmarking will continue to be the way forward in industrial relations.

"Benchmarking was never intended as a once-off exercise. The whole point is to move us away, permanently, from relativities," said Mr Ahern.

"It is not too many years ago the public sector was characterised by endless industrial action. We needed to escape the cycle of leap-frogging claims; and I am sure that nobody is suggesting we go back to those days."