Strikes: Wave of demands after pay deal for gardaí

Fresh demands for extra pay for public workers, fuelled by a special deal for gardaí, are threatening to unravel the public sector pay deal and drain government spending from other areas.

Government officials say the estimated €40m special deal for gardaí, who deferred a strike this week, may have to come from outside the €300m already allocated for public pay next year.

The deal recommended by the Labour Court has triggered pay demands from unions who want to accelerate talks on finding a successor to the Lansdowne Road agreement.