Charlie McCreevy is presenting a tough front to the public sector unions - for now at least. The timing of the current disputes between the Government and nurses, gardai, transport staff and others is a mixed blessing.

On the one hand the Government is looking to continue down the path of social partnership. "Coincidentally", as the minister was talking tough, a report was released showing that pay rates had risen faster in the Republic since the arrival of social partnership than elsewhere in the EU. Cynics will point out that they had further to rise in the first place to achieve parity with peer groups in other EU states.

On the other hand, the Government is in mid-term and unlikely to face an election any time soon, despite the posturing of the independents. Mr McCreevy may well think the time is right to test the mettle of the unions for strike action. After all, any bad headlines are liable to be forgotten by the time polls come around.