The Government yesterday rejected Garda demands for additional pay to operate the new multi-million-pound PULSE computer system, which is to replace existing computers that are not Y2K-compliant.
In a statement last night the Department of Justice said there could be no further money on the table for gardai who are refusing to work the new system.
The Department was commenting after a meeting with leaders of the main staff body, the Garda Representative Association (GRA). A spokesman for the Department said it had listened to the association and would be reporting back to the Government.
In a statement after the meeting the GRA general secretary, Mr P.J. Stone, said he was deeply disappointed with the meeting. Gardai would continue to refuse to co-operate with the introduction of the system.
Mr Stone added: "This dispute, like all others, will eventually have to be resolved, and with hard work and the application of creativity and flexibility it should be possible to find a solution.
"Unfortunately, this afternoon there was little evidence of any of these qualities from the representatives of the Department of Justice."
The new PULSE system, which has cost at least £40 million so far, was turned on at midnight on Monday but is not being operated by gardai.
There was no indication yesterday that the blanket refusal to operate the new system was causing any policing problems, but gardai said it was likely problems would arise in coming weeks.
The existing Garda computer, which is used for criminal, court, vehicle and firearms records, is in the process of being turned off because it is not Y2K-compliant. The PULSE system was to have replaced and improved the existing records system.
The GRA is demanding additional productivity payments.