Social partners to continue talks on recovery plan

The social partners are due to continue talks today in the hope of finalising agreement on an economic recovery plan.

The talks have been taking place since late last week and the Government is hoping a deal will be concluded within the next 24 hours.

One of the key aspects of the negotiations is how to cut €2bn from public spending this year.

However, the discussions so far are believed to have focused on other issues such as pension protection, taxation and unemployment initiatives.

The thorny issue of cuts in public-sector pay has apparently not even been discussed yet.