Begg: Croke Park deal hangs in the balance

The General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions today admitted the future of the Croke Park Agreement is very finely balanced.

David Begg's comments come after talks between IMPACT and the HSE aimed at resolving an ongoing industrial relations dispute broke down last night.

A number of major trade unions including the ASTI, INMO and CPSU are recommending a rejection of the public sector pay and reform deal.

However Mr Begg is again warning the alternatives will be "unpalatable".

"I don't think anything was left on the table at the negotiations," Mr Begg said.

"It's still a judgement call for people to make, whether they think this is an acceptable arrangement or not.

But, he added, "it's not just a normal industrial relations issue - it's a fiscal and economic crisis."