The main Garda representative group has rejected plans by the Minister for Justice to create a new mechanism for pay talks.
Mr O'Donoghue proposed that Garda groups involve the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in developing a "process" for a pay review. But yesterday the Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents the bulk of the force, dismissed the idea and told the Minister he should set up an independent commission to review Garda pay.
There was initial disagreement at a meeting on Thursday when Mr O'Donoghue proposed a role for ICTU and said Garda pay would be addressed in the context of the Government's public sector pay policy. i should be treated separately from other public sector workers and warned in a statement that if they were not, there were "very dangerous signs pointing to disruption and mayhem" in the coming months.
The Minister met GRA leaders again yesterday, and asked them to reconsider their reservations about his plans. Later, the GRA said it had told the Minister that he should go to Government with its plans for a pay commission.
Last night, a Department of Justice spokesman said the Minister had made no commitment to take the GRA's point of view to Government for its consideration.