Update 10.53am: Fianna Fáil’s Finance spokesman Michael McGrath added his voice to those claiming that Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan showed “poor judgement” by deciding to attend a conference in the US.

Earlier, the head of the AGSI said it has had no contact with Garda HQ over contingency plans to keep order during proposed strikes.

“As head of the Force, at a time of such uncertainty, and with the AGSI and the GRA planning industrial action, I think her sole focus really should have been in Ireland, dealing with that scenario, preparing contingencies, and I think she should have been here.,” he said.

“I think it was a poor judgement call to go.”

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Update 8.31am: A Government TD has said that the decision by Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan to attend a conference in th US shows “really poor judgement”.

She is in San Diego for the International Chiefs of Police meeting as the AGSI and GRA plan on going on strike in a matter of days.

“I’m just disappointed,” said Fine Gael TD Michael D’Arcy.

“I’m a very strong supporter of An garda Siochána. To be in San Diego, to me, is just really poor judgement on her behalf.”

Earlier:

The Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan is coming under further pressure after it emerged that she has travelled to the United States for a conference.

Commissioner O’Sullivan is in San Diego for the International Chiefs of Police meeting.

It comes as the AGSI and GRA both plan strike action on four days next month.

Frontline gardaí say they feel forced into walking off the job due to a long running lack of resources and low pay.

Commissioner O’Sullivan is expected back in Ireland before the end of the week.