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Editorial: Donohoe must stand tough in facing down rabid union demands in pay talks

There are many who rightly say that price, paid by the taxpayer, has been far too high and promises of reform have failed to materialise

Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has said he won’t be influenced into reaching a new public sector pay deal by threats of industrial action. Picture: Bryan Meade

The absence of a formal agreement between the state and its near 400,000 employees is not a situation we are used to in Ireland.

Under a succession of deals, there had been “industrial peace” clauses that meant strike action would not be undertaken by unions.

The absence of an agreement has left workers and their unions in “ uncharted waters” and there are already calls for the main unions to ballot their members for strike ...