The incoming head of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions says the government is ‘talking to itself’ over a prospective public sector pay deal.
SIPTU Vice President Patricia King - who will lead ICTU from March - says she has had no engagement with the coalition about a successor to the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements.
She will take over from retiring General Secretary David Begg, who has served in the role since 2001.
Mrs King - who will be the first woman General Secretary in Congress's 121-year history - says her immediate focus will be on household finances.
She says she is open to engagement over public sector pay, but will not be drawn on speculation of a new deal:
Congratulating Mrs King, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor said she had "defended and advanced the interests of workers in several major national negotiations, most recently the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements.
"She has always been held in the highest regard at all levels in SIPTU and commanded respect from employers, Government and in the wider public domain," he added.
Originally posted at 13.10
