Meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum - 24 June 2024

Taoiseach, Simon Harris this afternoon chaired his first plenary meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). The LEEF is made up of representatives from the government, employers and trade unions and is the structure for tripartite dialogue on economic and employment issues as they affect the labour market.

Alongside the Taoiseach, the government was represented by the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity.

The meeting discussed economic developments and outlook, ahead of Budget 2025, with all sides acknowledging the strong performance of the economy and labour market, as well as geopolitical and other risks ahead. Perspectives were shared by the employer and trade union representatives on priorities for Budget 2025.

The meeting also discussed the labour market and migration and emphasised the very positive contribution that migration continues to have in meeting labour market needs, for example in the health service.

There was an update on recent engagements on the issue of Collective Bargaining, and the government reaffirmed its commitment to effective transposition of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, and implementation of the LEEF High Level Group report on Collective Bargaining. It was agreed that work on these issues between the government, ICTU and employer representatives will intensify in the period ahead.

The meeting also received updates from the work of LEEF subgroups and heard that the initial meeting of a new LEEF Sub-group on apprenticeships will take place shortly.

The Taoiseach also took the opportunity of the meeting with employer and trade union representatives to highlight the government’s concerns about the economic, consumer and reputational impact of the industrial dispute at Aer Lingus. He stressed the desirability for early re-engagement by Aer Lingus and the Irish Airline Pilots Association with the industrial relations machinery of the State with a view to reaching a negotiated outcome to the current dispute.