Tánaiste: Strikes will not help talks
The Tánaiste has said next week's public sector strike will not be constructive.
Public servants - including nurses and teachers - are taking part in the 24-hour stoppage on Tuesday - in protest at proposed cuts in next month's Budget.
The Government is determined to reduce the public sector pay bill by €1.3bn - but unions are now threatening a second day of industrial action.
Mary Coughlan said the strike will not help the ongoing talks with unions on the Budget proposals.
Ms Coughlan said: "Withdrawal of labour is certainly not something that we feel will be constructive or in any way add to the discussions that are presently on-going between the Government and the employers and the public service unions.
"In normal circumstances, withdrawal of labour takes place after something has been decided as opposed to preempting something" she added.
