Garda frontline staff may be cut to afford new pay deal

Update 4pm: Gardai might have to cut frontline services to cover the cost of a €40m pay deal agreed at the Labour Court last week.

The Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe confirmed the money for the pay deal with the GRA will have to be found from existing resources.

However he wouldn't be drawn on what services might be cut

Earlier: The Cabinet has accepted the Labour Court recommendation on Garda pay.

The deal brokered last week is expected to cost the taxpayer more than €40m

Yesterday, Gardai deferred three further days of strike action pending the outcome of a ballot on the proposals.