Public-sector unions consider strike action today

Unions representing frontline public-sector workers are set to consider strike action at a meeting in Dublin later today.

The move is being considered by the Frontline Services Alliance, which represents nurses, gardaí, prison officers and other public servants who provide around-the-clock services.

The group has been holding a series of meetings across the country in recent weeks to discuss how to respond to reductions in their pay and cuts to public services.

Earlier this week, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance told trade unions that they plan to cut another €1.3bn from the public pay bill in this December's budget.

More talks are due to take place to see if the savings can be made through redundancies, overtime reductions and cuts in pension payments or allowances rather than reductions in basic pay rates.

Impact and Unite members in the public service have already voted to take industrial action if any move is made to introduce further cuts in their pay.