Taoiseach rules out return to old model of social partnership

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out a return to the traditional social partnership model.

“We are not going back to social partnership in the way that it was,’’ he said.

He was replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin in the Dáil.

Meetings, he said, took place in secret, away from the Oireachtas.

People elected to the Oireachtas should have the right and opportunity to consider, debate and reflect on the economic challenges facing the country, he added.

Mr Kenny said the Haddington Road agreement would run until July 2016 and Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin was making preparations for a successor to that on pay and reform.

The Taoiseach said the relevant Oireachtas committees should consider such matters. The setting up of a budgetary committee, as suggested by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, should be considered so members of the House could have their proposals costed, he added.