Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is not a sham. We have completed all the conditions that were signed on for in respect of the Troika. We have resisted efforts by the Troika to move in particular directions and have renegotiated elements of the programme. I made it clear to the social partners that we will not be returning to the social partnership model as applied previously but that there is a clear line of communication between employers and trade unions and the Government. The Tánaiste outlined this very clearly at the SIPTU conference last week. We have made that clear to employers and trade unions - the social partners, as were - and we intend to adhere to that.

There is no sham, other than to say the Government is open to engagement with the different groups and to hearing their proposals on a regular basis. They understand that and we will continue to operate in that manner.

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