The Army is expected to be called on tomorrow to provide security for vital installations, including Government buildings, embassies and banks as gardai withdraw cover in support of their claim for a substantial pay increase.
The military support was discussed at Government and senior security levels yesterday in response to the "day of action" in which gardai in large numbers are expected to call in sick for 24 hours.
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, met leaders of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) to discuss ways of averting the day of action, the most serious act of industrial action ever taken by gardai.
Troops are being prepared to provide security at key points such as the Dail, Government offices, embassies, banks and other institutions holding large amounts of cash and normally guarded by police.
A major contingency plan to provide emergency policing services has also been drawn up by the Garda Commissioner, Mr Patrick Byrne, which might require senior officers to carry out duties normally the work of officers of garda rank.
One of the main concerns is that criminals could take advantage of the lack of Garda cover to commit offences. There could also be severe traffic disruption as Friday is the first day of the May bank holiday weekend, when traffic levels are normally quite heavy.
Indications from Garda sources around the State yesterday suggest there will be strong support for the industrial action, with some areas saying support could be as high as 100 per cent. The protest is confined to the 8,500 officers of garda rank. The staff associations representing the 2,500 more senior officers have refused to take part, and most of their members should remain working.
The GRA's executive is also due to meet later today to discuss the action.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, yesterday emphasised the State's opposition to breaching public pay sector limits again in order to meet the GRA pay demand. Mr Ahern referred to the opening negotiating demand made by the association for a salary increase of 39 per cent. The State has so far offered 7 per cent with further awards related to productivity agreements, which have been ruled out by the GRA.
Mr Ahern said yesterday: "There are figures that Government cannot breach because of agreements made across the board. That needs to be understood, and nothing is going to move the Government from that position. The gardai have to understand that."
A Defence Forces spokesman confirmed last night that the Garda had been in communication about seeking assistance on Friday if the need arose. No details of duties had been worked out, and this would depend on how short Garda cover was on Friday morning. There will be no indication of this until officers call in sick or appear for work.
In the past the Army has provided cover for the State in disputes effecting prisons, fire, ambulance and refuse services.