THE Government was anxious to continue with the process of social partnership following the expiry of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work (PCW), the Taoiseach said.

"That continues to be a preoccupation of mine and indeed of the entire Government. Discussions are ongoing and continuous to that end," said Mr Bruton.

He said the Government was anxious to ensure that the terms of the PCW were respected in full. "We are obviously in constant consultation with the social partners with a view to ensuring that the terms of the PCW, including its terms regarding industrial peace, are adhered to."

He was responding, on the Order of Business, to the Fianna Fail deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, who referred to the "gathering storm clouds" within so many areas of vital public services. She suggested the Taoiseach convene and chair a special sitting of the central review committee, and she also called for a Dail debate on the matter.

The Fianna Fail spokesman on energy, Mr Seamus Brennan, called for a statement from the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications following the "confrontational nature" of Mr Lowry's statement to the ESB relating to its rationalisation plan.

Replying to Mr Robert Molloy (PD, Galway West) and Mr Martin Cullen (FF, Waterford) Mr Bruton said he was well aware of the respective responsibilities in that area of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and of the board of the ESB. The board clearly had the responsibility for implementing policy.