Strike contingency plans to kick in after talks deadline

The Government will be forced to turn to still- unpublished contingency plans to address Friday’s imminent Garda strike unless significant progress is made on resolving the pay dispute by tomorrow night.

Coalition sources outlined the de facto talks deadline last night, despite Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe stressing that “all of our efforts” are going into ensuring the industrial action is avoided.

Under moves agreed between the Government, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) and the Garda Representative Association (GRA) last Friday, all three parties are holding 11th-hour talks to prevent an unprecedented Garda strike in just four days’ time.