SOCIAL PARTNERS:THE GOVERNMENT'S new economic recovery plan has been welcomed by some employers but criticised by the Conference of Religious in Ireland (Cori).
Unions mainly adopted a cautious approach to the new initiative and said they would wait to see the detail that emerged in talks with the Government after Christmas, particularly on the controversial issue of pay.
The employers' body Ibec said the Government's plan had "the potential to greatly strengthen the country's enterprise base over the coming years".
Ibec director general Turlough O'Sullivan said there were many things in the plan which would instil confidence in the business community in relation to the outlook for Ireland's economy.
"Ibec supports Government's vision to build an innovation-based economy in which high-quality employment and enterprises can be sustained. The commitment to a substantial venture capital fund to support R&D activity is particularly welcome and should result in Ireland greatly increasing its market share in global R&D.
"Other measures to support innovation, such as improved tax arrangements for intellectual property, will also send a message to the international investment community that Ireland is set to be among the world leaders in R&D and innovation," he said.
However, the business group Isme said that the plan represented "a roadmap to nowhere" and that it ignored real business issues.
It said the laudable policy of promoting innovation had little relevance to most businesses.
Peter McLoone, general secretary of Impact, the largest public sector union, said there was nothing in the outline of the Government's plan with which it could take exception.
However, he said, it was a question of waiting to see the detail when the trade unions engaged in negotiations with the Government.
He expected that the issues of pay and income policy would come into focus in these negotiations.
Jack O'Connor of Siptu said he did not want to be negative but the union would have to wait to see the plans of the Government in the negotiations.
The new Government plan was strongly criticised as lopsided by Fr Sean Healy of Cori. He said the social development element of the plan was minimal.
Fr Healy strongly urged the Government to take a much more balanced approach to the economic recovery programme.
