Unions threaten further action after tomorrow's strike

Trade union leaders have indicated that they are willing to go back into talks with the Government about the plan to save €1.3bn from the public pay bill.

The unions have not called off tomorrow's public sector strike however and are threatening further action before the Budget next month if the talks fail.

ICTU says tomorrow will see a shut-down of Ireland's public services, including the closure of schools and public offices, with only emergency cover being provided in hospitals.

ICTU chairman Peter McCloone said that once tomorrow's strike is over, unions are willing to return to the talks table with "a conviction that a fair and effective agreement can be reached".