The Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan says she is confident next month’s strike action can be averted.

Ms O’Sullivan is appearing before the Oireachtas Justice Committee.

The Garda Representative Association says its members will not turn up for work on four dates in November.

Commissioner O’Sullivan has refused to discuss contingencies, saying she wants to see the issue resolved.

She said: “I would not, as Commissioner of An Garda Síochána with all of the policing and security challenges that we have, like to see anything happen that would do anything to disrupt the policing service and in any way compromise our protection of the communities.

“So we are very focused at the moment on ensuring that people are encouraged on staying engaged in the processes that are there.

“We will await the outcome of them and see what they bring, but I am confident that they will bring a suitable resolution.”