No plans to postpone union protest

ICTU's Public Services Committee says talks will continue this afternoon with Government as planned, and that nothing has been decided yet about public sector cuts.

Unions will go ahead with protests in eight regional locations tomorrow despite today's talks aimed at encouraging the Government to adopt an alternative economic recovery plan.

ICTU's Public Services Committee says that nothing has been decided yet about public-sector cuts.

Earlier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said protests will not solve our economic problems, and that cuts in the public service pay bill are unavoidable.

However, Bernard Harbour of trade union IMPACT says both options will be pursued.

Senator Eoghan Harris says we are in the middle of a long war between public and private sector workers - and public servants should stop "whinging".

"They contribute nothing to the stabilisation of the economy," he said.

"They contribute services - but they won't be able to dig us out of the hole - they can't do that, it's not their function.

"The public sector is a protected....class right now".

"I know they didn't cause the recession, but they benefited hugely from bench-marking. They are paid so much more, they have permanent pensionable jobs. They should cough up without anymore whinging."