Paschal Donohoe: Those who strike face backlash

No additional money will be made available outside of the Lansdowne Road Agreement to increase public sector wages and there will be “consequences” for those who strike, Government has warned.

Teachers and gardaí have already set a number of days of industrial action, while non-consultant hospital doctors have threatened to strike over pay and conditions.

But Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe remains adamant that no additional funds can be made available to restore pay.

“If we get to a point where An Garda Síochána take industrial action and go on strike, of course it is going to have very serious consequences for all who are involved,” he told RTÉ’s News at One.

He said he couldn’t go down the path of introducing “a wage change that we can’t afford now that ends up being a savage wage cut down the line”.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) and the Garda Representative Association (GRA) have announced four days of industrial action in November. Garda sergeants and inspectors will also refuse to sign on to the PULSE garda system tomorrow.

Members of Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) will strike over seven days beginning next week. The union yesterday met with Department of Education officials and will be meeting again on Monday.

Mr Donohoe said the two other teaching unions had been able to reach agreement with Government, which has resulted in improvements for new teachers.

“The inconclusive outcome to the ASTI meeting is in contrast to the agreements reached between the two departments concerned and the TUI and the INTO on new entrant pay, this agreement will result in increases of up to €2,000 per year for teachers at the start of their careers,” Mr Donohoe said.