Prison officers to discuss final offer

PRISON officers meet this morning to set out a schedule for discussion of a last-chance offer from Justice Minister Michael McDowell to avoid strike action.

The minister wants an answer from the Prison Officers Association (POA) this day week and is threatening to start privatising services normally provided by prison officers within 21 days if the response is not positive.

A meeting of the POA administrative council will take place this morning and a full meeting of the National Executive is expected to follow midweek. The executive will decide whether to put the proposals to a national ballot.