THE TÁNAISTE, Mary Coughlan, has said difficulties in finding agreement on a national pay deal are not "insurmountable".
Speaking about last weekend's breakdown in pay talks as she announced new jobs in Athlone, she said: "It was quite close in my view - there were still a lot of loose ends to be tied up, but that wasn't insurmountable. The fact there was no acrimony between both sides gives me great hope that there's still an enthusiasm to bring the matter to finality."
She hoped matters would be resolved at the end of August or in early September. However, she also said that "managing expectations on both sides is hugely difficult because we've had good times for such a considerable period".
She rejected the notion that a three-week gap in talks was inappropriate given the current mood.
"There isn't a groundswell of negativity, I think. The unions indicated in a very calm and measured way on Friday night that they would have to, on behalf of their representatives, commence local bargaining and claims. There would have been an apprehension by Ibec that this was to happen, but I think that those are the political realities.
"I listened to what Jack O'Connor [ Siptu general president] had to say on that after returning from the weekend. He was quite taken aback about words being used that were totally inappropriate, words like crisis and things like that; that's not where we're at. It's a matter for Ibec and the unions now to consider what is the most appropriate way of bringing matters together. It's come to the end of the season, people are tired on both sides, and I think a week or two of a break with time to reflect will actually reinvigorate the process."
Ms Coughlan said in coming weeks the Taoiseach would speak to employers and unions and that she would do so as well, with him and on his behalf. When asked whether it was time for a new talks framework, given the change in economic circumstances, the Tánaiste agreed that "we have to have an innovative approach".
"I feel the unions and employers are going to be very much part of the economic recovery of this country and therefore, pro forma, they should be part of the architects of that." She dismissed concerns that there might be a free-for-all on the part of unions, saying "there's a maturity on both sides that that won't happen".