MINISTER FOR Justice Dermot Ahern repeated his strong objection to any form of industrial action by gardaí.

“The Government and the Oireachtas will agree that we cannot countenance gardaí going on strike,” he said. “That would be an affront to democracy and that view is held by the wider public.”

Mr Ahern said he had been in touch with the Garda Commissioner on the issue.

“I suggest strongly, as I did over the past few days, that the Garda Representative Association should again reflect on its position, in that its members are not being asked to take more pain than any other sector in society.”

Mr Ahern said the McCarthy report had made a number of suggestions regarding payroll costs, not only in regard to the Garda but across the justice sector, as it did in other areas.

“The Government must bear those in mind, but, ultimately, it has to make decisions, as I have to in regard to my own budget.”

Mr Ahern was replying to Labour justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte who asked him if he intended intervening in the dispute.