Almost 270,000 public sector staff face a hike in pension contributions to fund their ‘gold-plated’ schemes as the Government emphasises the economy is still recovering.

Some public-sector unions say their members are earning up to 60% less than they would in a similar role in the private sector.

A long-awaited Public Sector Pay Commission report recommending continued restoration of pay is to be brought to Cabinet today.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has delivered a fresh blow to public sector pay demands, saying lower-than-expected tax revenues will impact on what the State can afford.

Higher civil and public servants are demanding accelerated restoration of pay after claiming they earn up to 60% less than their private sector counterparts.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has refused to scotch reports that he is willing to award pay rises of 6% to 300,000 public servants in a new pay deal.

The Public Sector Pay Commission has been warned not to “make matters worse” by ignoring external economic factors in its upcoming salary agreement deliberations.

We’ve heard many times over the last few weeks that we must not do anything that will result in a return to the ways of the bad old days that preceded the crash in 2009.

Contingency plans are being prepared in case ongoing talks fail to prevent next week's unprecedented Garda strikes.

The Government will be forced to turn to still- unpublished contingency plans to address Friday’s imminent Garda strike unless significant progress is made on resolving the pay dispute by tomorrow night.