Too much significance could be attached to a number of high-profile disputes which had developed a definite inter-union dimension, the Labour spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment, Mr Pat Rabbitte, warned.

"These are very probably a symptom of deeper problems in the sectors affected. If Government pleads inability to become involved, there is no bar to their becoming involved belatedly in the underlying endemic problems neglected for so many years," Mr Rabbitte said.

He had heard and seen on the broadcasting media "foolish and presumably mischievous comment" about the supposed comparison between anti-competitive practices in business and in trade unions, meaning that competition - several unions in a single employment - was a good thing.

"This is utter nonsense and betrays no understanding of the origins, practices or purpose of the trade union movement." Mr Rabbitte was speaking during the resumed debate on a Fine Gael private member's motion critical of the Government's industrial relations record. He said the cement of social partnership had been pay restraint. In today's environment, after almost a decade of economic growth, that cement was no longer adequate.

Ms Frances Fitzgerald (FG, Dublin South East) said that all the disputes in the public sector had undermined partnership and had caused chaos in service provision for citizens.

"All the cases listed are public-sector cases, where the Government is the only other partner as both the employer and as Government," she said.

The Government's inability, or unwillingness, to manage its relationship with its partner - its own workforce - was the issue.

The question was how the Government and Ministers were actually managing the State and public sectors and their relationships with their own workforce.