More at stake than the unions’ needs

It is not overstating the case to argue that talks around the possibility of a renewed Croke Park deal are as important to the country’s future as the bank debt deal secured in recent weeks.

If the talks collapse, or are rendered pointless by more unions walking away from the table before the serious business begins, then, for the first time in more than a decade, we face a situation where the Government would be in conflict with at least some of its employees.

That would lead to the kind of instability — not to mention bloody-minded opposition to essential reforms — that would make any meaningful return to economic growth even more problematic. It would also make securing foreign investment — jobs — even more difficult.