Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that a major meeting of EU leaders planned for Dublin next week will go ahead even if the threat of 300,000 public sector workers going on a 24-hour strike materialises.
However, trade unions say that public servants at the Department of Foreign Affairs are expected to join the strike action on Thursday.
The European Political Community meeting aims to bring together European Heads of State or Government, together with leaders of key European and international institutions, for informal political and strategic discussions.
The event requires a “very robust” policing operation, which an Tánaiste says he is satisfied will be in place despite despite gardaí being engaged in the work-to-rule action.
Mr Harris described the EU meeting, which will be held in the Convention Centre as the largest international gathering of this type ever held in this country.
It is speculated that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky may be in attendance, though this has not been confirmed.
The Irish Independent says it “understands that a pay increase of around 6.75pc over three years has been offered by the Department of Public Expenditure. This would involve a 1.75pc pay increase this year, backdated to July, which could provide a festive sweetener for workers and help pave the way for a deal before Christmas.”
That offer would see a further 3pc increase next year followed by another rise of 2pc in 2028.
However that falls short of the overall 11-12pc pay increase the unions are looking for.
This morning, an Tánaiste said the Cabinet was hoping for a solution to the difficulties in negotiations this week.
“I don’t think anyone wants to see any more disruption to public services – I don’t think public sector workers want to see that either by the way,” he said.
However, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that the Government “has yet to make a credible offer to resolve the current dispute”.
“Preparations are now under way for a 24-hour work stoppage on Thursday, November 12. A rally in Dublin, alongside regional rallies, will mark the strike action and bring members together in support of a resolution,” a statement from the ICTU committee said.