FIANNA Fail has called for the intervention of the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, in the Irish Life dispute.

This was necessary to prevent an escalation, following the suspension of 320 of the company's sales staff; according to the party's spokeswoman on enterprise and employment, Ms Mary O'Rourke. But an Irish Life spokesman said that the company was "very surprised" at the comments.

Instead of the old fashioned approach which is being adopted by management, meaningful talks should take place with the unions," Ms O'Rourke said. The concerns of the Irish Life workforce must be recognised and accommodated, she said.

Irish Life said it wrote to Ms O'Rourke last week indicating that the company was available to discuss the dispute with her if she wished. "We have not heard from her," the company said.