Responding to SIPTU President Jack O’Connor’s comments on today’s Morning Ireland, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Enterprise Willie O’Dea commented, “This morning Jack O’Connor attempted to muddy the waters on the status of sectoral pay agreements and the requirements of the EU-IMF deal. The situation couldn’t be clearer. The last government, with the full knowledge and participation of all the social partners, initiated an independent review of these agreements under the chairmanship of the head of the Labour Court. This is recorded on page 11 of the memorandum of understanding, has been ongoing for more almost two months and is due to report in two weeks.

“Jack O’Connor’s attempt to suggest that Fianna Fáil may already have made an agreement on their future is incorrect, disingenuous and raises the question why he would choose to make this intervention at this time. Coming hot on the heels of Eamon Gilmore’s denials in this area, it is hard not to conclude that this intervention is a straightforward attempt by SIPTU to hide Labour’s blushes as they prepare to make unpopular decisions. People will not be fooled by these political games – Fine Gael and Labour now need to take responsibility for their own decisions.”