Talks on new public service pay deal are on a knife edge 

Talks began last week on a new deal to succeed the Public Service Stability Agreement, which expires at the end of this month. Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan. File picture.

Talks on a new public pay service deal for 300,000 workers are on a knife-edge as they resume this morning after unions blasted a government department over its handling of negotiations.

Intensive talks threatened to break down as tensions morphed into outright anger as the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions accused the Department of Public Expenditure of jeopardising the talks through improper leaks.