The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today a new partnership agreement depends largely on the what is contained within the 2003 Budget.
ICTU President, Mr Joe O'Toole, said following a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern; Tánaiste Ms Harney and the Minister for Finance Mr McCreevy, they would have to wait until the Budget to see if a deal could be hammered out between the unions and the Government and employer representatives.
Mr Ahern offered the union no prospect of any of the expenditure cut proposals being revised but restated his commitment to the partnership process.