Striking civil servants picket outside Dáil

Members of the Civil and Public Service Union (CPSU) are picketing the Dáil today as part of their day-long strike against the public-sector pension levy.

Sinn Féin TDs are refusing to pass the pickets, but politicians from the other parties are continuing to engage in Dáil business.

Around 13,000 CPSU members around the country are taking part in today's strikes, with pickets placed on Government departments throughout the country.

Social welfare offices are also closed because of the action and people are being warned that there may be delays in the processing of payments as a result.