Irish government pushes for pay deal to avert public sector strike

Jack Chambers, Ireland's public expenditure minister, urged the government and unions to settle the public sector pay dispute before a planned strike, citing a €1.2 billion allocation as the negotiation baseline. He described a "pathway" forward following encouraging early discussions and said a credible, fair deal is the goal. Chambers hinted that appointing an independent mediator may be considered and promised to publish further details shortly.

Union secretary general Kevin Callinan, speaking after a meeting at Dublin's Mater Hospital, stressed the need for restored trust and suggested the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, intervene directly. Callinan warned that without such steps, another round of industrial action is imminent. The Taoiseach expressed optimism about improving relations and welcomed the unions' willingness to engage.