Jack Chambers ‘hopeful’ of ‘way forward’ to prevent further public sector strike

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said he is “hopeful” it may be possible to “find a way forward shortly in the national interest” to prevent further strike action by public sector workers .

Speaking during a Labour Party Dáil private member’s debate, he said it was “a sensitive matter and work is ongoing”. He was “not in a position to provide specific or further detail at this time”.

Union leaders attending a meeting of the Irish Congress of Unions’ public services committee also declined to comment on the scale of progress being made behind the scenes with one expressing the same concern that things be derailed.

Kevin Callinan, who chairs the committee, said there had been “positives over the past 24 to 36 hours,” but added that next week’s strike is “absolutely” still on as things stand.