Taoiseach Brian Cowen has rejected suggestions that the public sector pay deal is unravelling following its rejection this week by two separate teaching unions.
Responding to the negative reaction to the pact by both the ASTI and the TUI at their annual conferences, Mr Cowen maintained that it was the best deal available in the present circumstances.
He also expressed confidence that the proposals, agreed between union representatives and senior State officals before Easter, would be accepted.
“What’s important is that unions and their executives and ordinary members have to be given an opportunity to reflect on the job security that [the agreement] provides,” he said
“It also enables us to look forward to bringing much needed flexibility to our public service and use the savings obtained from that as a means to particularly help the low paid in the public sector.”
He said he was confident that public sector employees would view it as “the best that can be achieved in present circumstances”.
He accepted that each of the unions would have to decide on its merit but added that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions would have a role to play as well.
The Taoiseach was speaking at Glasnevin Cemetery where he opened a new €11 million museum.
