Department: Solution to Garda strike has to be consistent with Lansdowne Road

The Department of Justice is open to exploring “options” with Garda staff associations to avert the looming police strike — but insist they have to be within the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Department sources declined to outline what the options are and it is unclear how they could be enough to allow association leaders reconsider industrial action.

It comes as national strike action by up to 12,500 frontline and mid-ranking gardaí is set to begin in almost a fortnight.