Gardaí should be paid at least the average industrial wage of €33,000, according to the Garda Representative Association.

It comes after three newly qualified members of the force resigned over low pay.

At the moment new gardaí are paid €23,000 a year after graduating from Templemore.

Ciaran O'Neill is the vice president of the GRA and says they are looking for fair pay for a dangerous job.

“The two tier pay structure has them recruited into poverty and as the economy continues to recover it’s going to be difficult to attract new talent into work on the front line of An Garda Síochána,” said O’Neill.

“Our job is extremely tough, we put our lives at risk everyday protecting our community and we feel we should be adequately rewarded for that.

“All we are looking for is a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”