Government to hold bilateral economic talks

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has announced that the Government is to invite leading social partner organisations to a number of bilateral meetings.

Mr Gilmore said the meetings will aim to discuss the implementation of the Croke Park Agreement and will also look at the management of the public sector.

According to Deputy Gilmore the meetings are to take place in November.

The Tánaiste said he hopes it will help to show Ireland in a good light with our economic partners abroad.

Mr Gilmore said: "What will happen is that the Government will invite the trade unions and the employer organisations d the other social partners to a series of bilateral meetings with government ministers to discuss the economic situation, to discuss industrial relations - and indeed to discuss the proposals that have been made by organisations like SIPTU about how we might improve the economic situation of the country."