The Irish Bank Officials' Association will not enter a new round of pay talks unless a number of "pre-conditions" are met, its general secretary, Mr Larry Broderick, will warn today.

He will tell a special IBOA conference at Druid's Glen in Co Wicklow that low pay in banking and union recognition are among the key issues the association will want addressed in the next round of talks.

Enhanced protection of workers' pensions and a reduction in the working week must also be on the agenda if the IBOA is to enter discussions, he will warn.

Although the ink is barely dry on the current three-year partnership programme, Sustaining Progress, negotiations on a new national pay deal are due to begin as early as next March.

The pay element of Sustaining Progress covered the first 18 months only, which means private sector deals will begin to expire from next summer.

IBOA members overwhelmingly rejected the terms of the current deal, and Mr Broderick's address today will point to continuing impatience on the union's part with the partnership process.

He will tell delegates that the Irish banking industry is one of the most profitable in Europe, yet has used successive national wage agreements "to depress salaries of staff".

"It is unacceptable that at a time when Irish banks reported profits in excess of €3 billion last year, many employees enter the banking profession on low incomes and find few ladders of progression even after years of service.

"Senior management in banks on multi-million salaries sometimes forget the very people who work hard to make Irish banking so profitable are the staff."

On union recognition, Mr Broderick will say it is imperative that legislation be put in place to safeguard a union's legislative right to collectively bargain on behalf of its members.