Mid-ranking gardaí are to consider striking to protect their pay against further cuts, even though such action is illegal.

The issue of pay is set to dominate the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, which gets underway in Co. Mayo this afternoon.

AGSI members attending the conference will hear plans being considered by the association on protecting their pay.

While legislation prohibits gardaí from striking, or even discussing it, they will be considering what options are available to them.

AGSI members will propose a motion calling on the Justice Minister to restore pay to 2008 levels, and another considering all actions to protect their pay and increments.

Other motions include a call to supply all frontline gardaí with bullet-proof vests, rather than the standard stab vests, to take into account the proliferation of firearms among organised criminals.

Body cameras are also being requested, with reports of officers resorting to buying their own cameras to protect themselves from spurious allegations.

The AGSI also wants the Commissioner to tell members what the level of threat is from international terrorism.

The conference begins this afternoon.