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Martin defends public pay offer as unions prepare Thursday strike

RTÉ News reports that unions remain concerned about the proposed deal's duration, despite the Taoiseach calling the offer "very fair".

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RTÉ News Story of November 10, 2026Trari Newsroom

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'Very fair' public sector pay offer on table - Taoiseach

Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the Government has substantially improved its public sector pay offer, as unions prepare for a day-long strike on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in the RTÉ News clip, Martin argues that an agreement must leave room for continued recruitment as well as higher wages. He names teachers, nurses, special needs assistants and Gardaí among the workers a sustainable budget must support.

"The Government wants a national pay agreement..." he says, describing the proposal as meeting the criteria identified early in the talks. His closing assessment is emphatic: "So it's, it's a very, very fair offer."

The unresolved issue is how long that offer would have to last. According to RTÉ, union sources are concerned about the duration and would seek a greater pay uplift if the agreement runs for three years. Union and Government representatives are continuing engagement with an independent group to find a route towards resolution.

In a separate report, RTÉ puts the proposed pay increase at 10.5%, with an expected cost to the Exchequer of close to €5 billion over the deal's lifetime. That report describes the improved offer as an attempt to avert Thursday's strike.

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