TUI: Elements of last week's talks off agenda

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has responded to comments attributed to Minister Batt O’Keeffe that elements of a deal related to public service reform almost agreed last week could form the basis for talks next year.

“Elements of a possible agreement last week were only on the table as part of a wider deal that did not involve the imposition of direct pay cuts for teachers and lecturers," said TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said.

"At no stage was a final position agreed by anybody. It was part of a proposal which was to form a possible alternative to a direct pay cut to teachers.

"In order to be agreed it would have to have been put to TUI’s 15,000 members by way of a ballot and only if agreed by the members would it have had any validity.

"Now that the deal has been withdrawn by Minister O’Keeffe’s government and the strong likelihood of a direct pay cut in the budget remains, all bets are off," Mr MacMenamin added.

"Such issues will no longer be considered by the TUI while this situation remains."

Mr MacMenamin said the union would further assess the situation after the budget. The union’s executive committee meets again on Friday.