The Taoiseach has moved to allay doubts about Government support for a move to build 10,000 "affordable houses" as part of the new national partnership programme.
Mr Ahern has told leaders of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions that he is personally committed to the project, despite questioning its feasibility in the Dáil last week.
ICTU's executive council was told of his renewed commitment at a meeting yesterday to discuss the new programme, which has been titled Sustaining Progress.
With unions divided on whether to support the programme, the council decided not to make a recommendation either in favour or against the deal. The package includes a 7 per cent pay increase, in phases, over 18 months.
Unions will ballot their members on the programme before reporting back to a special delegate conference of congress on March 26th, a week later than had been planned.
Mr David Begg, ICTU general- secretary, said a number of "significant points" had emerged from the union leaders' meeting with Mr Ahern last Friday. These included the Taoiseach's commitment to the affordable housing initiative.
Mr Ahern had told the Dáil that employers and unions were seeking to have 10,000 affordable houses built in "year one", but the Government did not believe that was possible. "We can do much more in this area but the debate always comes back to the same issue, land," he added.
The affordable housing initiative was one of several key breakthroughs which helped to secure a pay deal when Mr Ahern and senior Cabinet colleagues intervened in the pay talks last month.
The project is included in the proposed new programme, but with no details as to how it will be implemented.
Commitments given by Mr Ahern in two other areas were also outlined to yesterday's ICTU council meeting. Mr Begg said the first involved the establishment of a protocol for dealing with future developments in the semi-State sector, involving a "structured engagement" between the Government and unions.
The council also heard that the Government, in a reversal of its stance to date, had agreed to support the incorporation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into the EU treaties. The charter includes the right of workers to engage in collective bargaining and to take industrial action in defence of that right.
The Government's new stance adds weight, according to sources, to provisions dealing with workers' rights to union representation.
One ICTU council member, whose union is likely to oppose the programme, said it was recognised at the meeting that the development was of significance.
Mr Begg acknowledged, however, that unions remained divided on the merits of the proposed agreement and yesterday's meeting had been unlikely to change anyone's mind.
One outstanding element, a strategy to tackle inflation, is expected to be concluded today or tomorrow, paving the way for the full programme to be published.
There was still no indication last night of any renewed attempt to secure farmers' support for the programme. The Irish Farmers' Association president, Mr John Dillon, called on the Government to spell out the benefits of the proposed deal to farmers.
Farm leaders say they cannot support the programme as proposed, as it does not address the income crisis in the sector.
