National pay talks - Impasse may put economy in danger

THE outlook for the long-term success of the national pay talks is bleak given the crisis mood hanging over yesterday’s make-or-break session of negotiations.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern gave an early warning that considerable differences remained between the social partners on the questions of pay and related non-pay issues.

Meanwhile, the OECD warned that pay increases should be in line with productivity developments.