Middle-ranking gardaí are seeking advice from their solicitors on the prospect of taking legal action against Government plans to push ahead with proposals denying gardaí the right to strike.

Gardaí should be constrained from withdrawing their labour or given full trade union status, a top-level government body has recommended.

Ireland?s 13,000 garda? are entitled to be part of national pay talks and to strike, doing away with the need for bouts of "blue-flu".