Siptu says the Government needs to talk to all unions when it comes to putting together a new public sector pay deal.

Reports this morning suggest pay rises are being considered for nurses, doctors and other workers who are proving difficult to retain.

However, these possibly would not extend to gardaí and teachers under the structure of a deal which would replace the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

The Government has said that the agreement is “the only show in town” for the moment.

Siptu President, Jack O’Connor, says without proper negotiation with unions industrial disputes will emerge over any new deal.

He said: “I do think it’s important to recognise as well that there is an outstanding issue in relation to the restoration of pay which was deducted during the economic collapse.

“I do think it’s important that whoever is in government adheres to the principle that pay is collectively bargained.

“I think that if we don’t, we’re going to have industrial disputes and we’re going to have immense difficulty, quite unnecessarily.”