Martin Meets Unions, Employers on Energy, Pay; ICTU Seeks Worker Support

Trade union leaders and business representatives will meet with Taoiseach Micheál Martin today at the Labour Employer Economic Forum. The meeting, also attended by the Tánaiste and other ministers, will address energy security, affordability, and broader economic developments.

ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy stated the government's €500m fuel package for farmers and hauliers needs to be matched by efforts for union members. He claimed the government is "over-indulging and infantilising" business.

ICTU seeks to discuss rising prices' impact on workers and the upcoming public sector pay deal expiring in June. Reidy proposed reworking tax bands and a temporary 1% VAT reduction, costed at €631 million, mirroring the hospitality VAT cut.

ICTU also advocates for facilitating remote work during the energy crisis and improving public transport. Reidy warned that lack of progress could lead to prioritizing pay talks.