Government leaders have said there is scope for a public pay deal to be agreed before a threatened second day of strike action by more than 300,000 workers.
It comes after unions endorsed a decision by negotiators to reject a pay offer worth 7.75 per cent over two and a half years and to go on strike on November 12th, the day Ireland is hosting world leaders at a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC).
The unions and Government negotiators are due to separately meet an independent panel set up as part of efforts to break the impasse.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the pay offer made by the Government is on top of “significant tax cuts” and help with childcare and disability costs announced in the budget.
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He said the Coalition “has been very conscious of the cost of living all the way through this process”.
Speaking to reporters on his way into Cabinet, Martin added: “We are engaging in good faith in negotiations on a public service pay deal.
“It needs to be fair and we have to be conscious of the taxpayer and we have to be conscious of the overall sustainability of anything we do.”
He said: “The room is there to get a deal done.”
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “I passionately believe work should always pay and that should include obviously those working in the public service and carrying out really important functions right across our country.
“But I don’t think anyone wants to see any more disruption to public services.”
He added: “I think everybody wants to see a resolution and there’s a … window of opportunity over the course of the next few days to try and get this done.
“I’d really encourage everybody to act in good faith, to engage, as I know they will to try and find a way forward.”
The planned strike action coincides with the EPC meeting and, if it goes ahead, will also come on the eve of an informal meeting of European leaders being held as part of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
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The Garda Representative Association is also planning a work-to-rule action that will run between November 10th and November 14th.
On the impact that the work-to-rule action by rank and file gardaí could have on the EPC meeting, Harris said Government has been briefed on security plans for “the largest international gathering we’ve ever held in this country”.
He said: “It’s a very, very significant logistical operation. But I am satisfied that there’s very robust security plans in place.”
Harris added: “There’s nine days to go until that EPC. There’s nine days to go until the next strike action. Let’s all work to find a solution”.
He also said: “We’re one of the few governments in Europe sitting down wanting to increase the pay of people in the public sector. We’re one of the few Governments in Europe able to decrease your income tax.
“We’re trying here our very best to find a solution and in coming hours and days I hope and trust that we’ll have willing partners.”
Speaking at Leinster House on Tuesday, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman called on Martin and Harris to intervene.
“I think they probably have to override the resistance being shown by officials in the Department of Public Expenditure,” he said.
Social Democrats TD Sineád Gibney said said union leaders had chosen the day the Government is hosting the European Political Community meeting because it is “the day that makes most sense”.
Labour TD Marie Sherlock said it would be “an embarrassment to the nation” if public sector workers “have to go out on strike in what will be the single biggest day of the European presidency”.
