Unions representing ESB staff and company representatives made opposing presentations to an internal tribunal on Thursday over a pay claim submitted by workers, who want an annual increase of 3.5 per cent for three years, backdated to a year ago.

The ESB Industrial Council meeting, chaired by Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission, will assess the case before coming back with a deliberation on the pay claim.

ESB said yesterday it was also “seeking to progress wider discussions on new terms and conditions across the company”, which is likely to spark further strife with its unions.

Members of the ESB Group of Unions could not be reached for comment.

ESB says it has not accepted the pay claim, which was first lodged by workers last year upon expiration of a three-year pay deal designed to deliver savings of €140 million.

The Government also announced yesterday it was looking for a new chairman for ESB, to replace Lochlann Quinn. Application is through the Public Appointments Service.