Irish Taoiseach urges behind-the-scenes talks with public-service unions after massive walkout

After hundreds of thousands of public-sector employees staged a 24-hour walkout over pay, Taoiseach Micheál Martin told reporters in Brussels that the government believes a negotiation platform with the unions is already in place. He expressed optimism that ongoing behind-the-scenes discussions will translate into a formal process aimed at a national pay agreement. Martin highlighted the €1.2 billion allocated for public-service pay in Budget 2027 as a foundation for talks.

The strike, which included nurses, doctors, teachers and civil servants, led to school closures, the postponement of thousands of non-emergency hospital appointments, the cancellation of driving tests and most court hearings. He noted that rising cost-of-living pressures, exacerbated by global conflicts and recent crises, add urgency to reaching an outcome. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers confirmed that pay will be the first issue on the agenda of any forthcoming negotiations.