Responding to the Taoiseach's speech, the leader of the Labour Party, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said Mr Ahern was trying to browbeat community and voluntary groups into signing up for the new social partnership deal.
"The non-pay side of this agreement is an empty shell. Given this Government's track record, it is clear that there is nothing for the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of our society," said Mr Rabbitte.
He said the Taoiseach had pointedly referred to the relationship offered to such groups by partnership agreements. "What he is effectively saying is that they will be given the cold shoulder if they fail to sign up.
"By threatening to freeze out those who don't sign, the Taoiseach is browbeating the community and voluntary sector. The new agreement is nothing more than the Government's austerity programme with a pay deal attached.
"There are no resources, and no meaningful commitment to address the core inequality and unfairness in Irish society." Genuine social partnership requires real commitment on all sides - not empty promises, he said.
