This Article looks at the recent experience in Ireland with Social Partnership, placing it in the context of the European Employment Strategy and in particular its Adaptability Pillar. It reflects on how the Irish model of Social Partnership evolved, its contribution to recent economic and social progress, the elements of recent partnership agreements, and the strengths and weaknesses of the model. It notes how the four sets of National Agreements have underpinned much of the recent progress in Ireland and, as negotiations currently get under way on a fifth Agreement, identifies some of the key issues and new challenges faced by the negotiators in an Ireland very much changed since the process was launched in 1987.
International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations