...but why is the government bothering to talk to IBEC and ICTU? How long have these talks been gong on?

Why are they negotiating with them? Why don't they just do what they think needs to be done, be decisive?

If they don't like the govts plan, IBEC can't do anything except moan, and the last 10 years have demonstrated that Irish Unions are incapable of a sustained strike and are mostly hot air and empty threats.

So whats the hold up to announcing a plan?

They're doing it tomorrow. Didn't you get the memo?

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Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.

- Niccolò Machiavelli

They tried that with the pensioners medical card

and? I don't agree with the decision but....Nothing happened! People went into the street and yelled "rabble rabble", they didn't back down.
They just came to a "compromise" which they knew they were going to get from the start.

Nobody can stop them if they just steamroll cuts in public sector pay/tax increases through.


So why are they pretending to care what IBEC and ICTU think?

They're politicians. Pretending to care is their job.

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Votes, PI, votes.

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Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.

- Niccolò Machiavelli

Do you really think they care, it is Brian "Mugabe" Cowen's country and he will run it how he sees fit, he is just gonna blame it all on the social partners if people don't like it

That ship sailed a long time ago Bobert.
Nobodys voting FF for a loong time to come.

I'm starting to wonder if they should not just decide what they're going to do, implement the nessicary cuts/taxes. Insulate critical staff like nurses, police and teachers from the cuts, and for any paper pushers or cubicle fillers who strike as a result of the plan, fire them, Reagan air traffic controller style.

Perhaps seeking a consensus first is a good idea? Maybe dictating a pay cut and the mass public service Strikes that would follow is a bad thing so they are looking to get agreement on it first.

Just a wild theory I thought I'd throw out there.

Seriously? This would be a good idea 12 hours before the talks are due to conclude? I'm not sure.