Employers and business groups are showing the least enthusiasm among the social partners for a new agreement.
In a paper outlining its position on the talks, IBEC claimed the social partnership process was "suffering from fatigue" and had lost focus.
It said any new deal would have to place the emphasis on competitiveness, with pay increases limited to low single figures. IBEC's director of industrial relations, Mr Brendan McGinty said some employers may be even insist on a pay pause.
