Leo Varadkar: Don’t reward unions that strike

Public sector unions who “have power and can strike” should not be rewarded with pay increases, one minister has said.

As a stand-off intensifies between the Government and public sector representatives, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has warned of the rise of a hard-left threat and a more militant element within some unions.

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said it would be unacceptable to cut services in order to increase pay.