O'Connor: Leak of provisional deal being exploited

SIPTU president Jack O' Connor has said that he regrets the way the provisional deal between unions and Government unfolded.

Talks at Government Buildings continued into the early hours of this morning, before again breaking up without agreement. They are due to resume again at 11am.

Fianna Fáil backbenchers yesterday criticised the initial deal which centred on unpaid leave of up to 12 days.

Now the focus is on overtime cuts and a pay freeze in order to save €1.3bn from the public sector pay bill.

President of SIPTU, also accused some critics of scaremongering and exploiting the situation.