The president of SIPTU believes the faster than expected recovery of the Irish economy should bring benefits to workers.

Jack O'Connor is calling for fresh talks regarding public sector pay before the Haddington Road Agreement expires next year.

According to today's Sunday Independent, the agreement with trade unions is due to last until July 2016, and negotiations for a new agreement were originally scheduled for spring of next year.

Mr O'Connor, says he would like to see the talks begin sooner rather than later.

Enda Kenny has said he hopes unions honour the deal, telling reporters that "the Haddington Road Agreements runs until 2016 and it's important that we don't spend away all of the hard-won gains by the people here. So, that will obviously be the subject of discussion and negotiation."

"We'd like to think that Haddington Road can be honoured and that we can make arrangements for the future," the Taoiseach added.

Originally posted at 10.57am