The Government is being accused of allowing problems reach crisis point before attempting to tackle them.

The Fine Gael led coalition is facing mounting criticism over its handling of public sector pay claims this weekend.

It is after the Labour court recommended a new package for Gardaí which is believed to cost at least €40 million.

Several public sector unions have called for their pay claims to be addressed in the wake of the deal.

Former Junior Health Minister Roisin Shortall says its too little too late: “The Genie is out of the bottle now in relation to Landsdowne Road.

“Part of the problem I think in relation to the Gardaí is that, what they were looking for initially was access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court so that there was some independent system of arbitration in relation to their pay and conditions.

“Now, the government should have responded to that demand far earlier. Again, this has been a feature of this Government I think they don’t act until their backs are absolutely to the wall.”