Social partners express support for fresh talks

Trade unions and employers both say they are happy to restart social partnership talks to ensure a fair programme can be devised to help Ireland survive the recession.

The two sides are being briefed by the Department of Finance today about the state of the public finances.

The Government says the talks do not signal a formal resumption of talks on an economic recovery package, which collapsed last month due to the controversial pension levy on public servants.

However, speaking ahead of today's meeting, both SIPTU and IBEC said they would like to see a renewal of the talks.

SIPTU says a social solidarity pact is needed to ensure that the well-off bear the brunt of cutbacks and tax increases, while IBEC says it also wants to see the crisis dealt with in "a decisive, fair and equitable manner".

It says this would include an indefinite deferral of the most recent national wage agreement.