Economy

End costly gimmicks and deliver a workers' budget, urges Irish Congress of Trade Unions

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that the Government must end “gimmicks and giveaways” and deliver a workers' budget, as part of its pre-Budget submission. Congress said that recent Budgets have been marked by costly economic interventions that delivered little for workers and the average...

ICTU warns Government that Budget 2027 must deliver for workers

The Government must deliver a Budget for workers or risk industrial unrest, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has warned ahead of today’s National Economic Dialogue. ICTU, which represents over 800,000 workers across Ireland, said that following a succession of costly tax cuts for employers and...

Opening statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

Opening statement by Dr Laura Bambrick, Irish Congress of Trade Unions to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment 29 April 2026 Chair, Deputies, Senators On behalf of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and our affiliated unions I would like to thank the Committee for the...

Government must protect workers, not business interests

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has today met with Government, warning it to stop capitulating to business interests and focus on maintaining workers’ living standards. The meeting was held as part of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), which brings together trade unions, employers, and...

Unions warn that fuel tax cuts set precedent for pay across the economy

ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy has warned that the Government’s €500m tax cut for the fuel industry will be factored into pay negotiations across all sectors of the economy in the next year. Commenting, Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy said: “Trade unions across Ireland have taken note of...

Trade unions call for Government to protect workers from economic shock

Workers across Ireland cannot be forced to bear the full brunt of a cost of living and energy crisis, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has warned today. With a two-week ceasefire announced last night, the organisation has said that Government must know Donald Trump cannot be relied on and serious...

Flexibility from employers needed in response to fuel prices pressure – unions

Responding to the Government announcement on fuel costs, Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Owen Reidy said: It is welcome that Government recognises the impact that rising fuel costs are having on workers and their families. Given the volatile nature of the current US administration...

Quality Employment and Good Jobs: The First Step to a New Economic Model

22 Feb, 2026

This report is the first in a new series of papers on the New Economic Model. In the New Economic Model Policy Series we delve deeper into specific policy areas and elaborate what it is that we think needs to be done. This report focuses on Quality Employment and Good Jobs.

More than half of workers in Ireland say they aren’t paid fairly – poll

A majority of Irish workers believe their pay does not fairly reflect the skills and effort they bring to their jobs, according to new polling published today by the Irish Congress of Trade Union. The IrelandThinks poll of 1,850 people reveals that 52% of workers say their current pay fails to match...

Government’s childcare plan guarantees more of the same

Responding to the Government’s plans to acquire childcare facilities, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said: “Scarce childcare places, unaffordable fees and high staff turnover are the direct result of the Government’s obsession with keeping business owners sweet, and their new so-called State-led...