GRA and AGSI call off garda strike

They will now ballot their members on the recommendations, which are believed to include the introduction of parade duty payments, clarifications over annual leave - and a recommendation that the rent allowance removed from new entrants be restored, increased, and integrated into pay scales for all Gardaí.

Update 10.30pm: The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has called off its strike action planned for tomorrow.

It comes as Members of the GRA Executive, which represents the largest cohort of officers, is discussing recommendations issued by the Labour Court earlier this evening.

It's unclear if they'll mount strike action from 7am.

BREAKING: The #AGSI calls off it's Garda strike after deal put forward by Labour Court. #GRA still assessing offer pic.twitter.com/jfYiZ7Ggpn

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalOBrien_) November 3, 2016

Speaking this evening, Frances Fitzgerald, said she would like to commend all who have been involved in the 'complex discussions' - for engaging in the process in good faith to find a resolution.

Meanwhile, An Garda Siochána have issued the following statement:

An Garda Síochána wishes to advise the public that due to the planned action from 7am November 4 2016 to 7am November 5 2016 the following arrangements have been put in place to ensure we can provide a policing and security service that meets the most urgent needs of individuals and communities:

- The 999 service will be available for emergency calls only

- 78 stations will be open

Calls for service will as usual be prioritised to deal with issues of immediate and serious risk. To ensure that phone lines are kept open for emergency calls, we are asking the public to only ring 999 in an emergency and please do not phone or call to Garda stations unless there is an emergency. If you have an emergency, we will be prioritising our activity to respond to it.

General administrative functions in Garda stations such as witnessing passport applications will not be facilitated tomorrow.

Road users should take personal responsibility to use the road safely, act within the law and be respectful to each other. The speed camera network will operate as normal tomorrow.

It is anticipated that the airports, ports and the Courts will operate as normal tomorrow.

Details of which stations will be open are available here.

Update 9.45pm: Members of the GRA Executive are currently poring over recommendations issued by the Labour Court shortly before 9pm tonight.

It's a crucial turn of events, earlier the GRA indicated that if the recommendations met demands for substantial pay restoration, they would ask for tomorrow's strike to be postponed.

The AGSI have also been meeting with the Labour Court this evening and they too will be reviewing new recommendations tonight.

#gardastrike pic.twitter.com/UZoOTLLPXu

— Zara King (@ZaraKing) November 3, 2016

Speaking in Dublin, the Garda Commissioner this evening acknowledged the difficult duty that Gardaí perform and thanked those members of the force who will turn up for duty to protect the community tomorrow.

The GRA had earlier requested staff from 18 divisions to attend work in the morning - even if the strike goes ahead.

Contingency plans for tomorrow are being kept secret for operational reasons, however it's understood a large contingent of student Gardaí have been placed on call, in case last minute efforts fail to reach agreement.

Earlier: Gardaí are waiting on details of a pay offer, before deciding whether or not to call off tomorrow’s strike.

The GRA has been told it will get a pay recommendation from the Labour Court by 8:30 this evening, which will be put to its 12,500 members for ballot.

It’s understood that if the recommendation meets the GRA’s demands for substantial pay restoration, the executive committee will ask for tomorrow's strike to be postponed.

GRA President Ciaran O’Neill says it’s all still to be decided, and it will ultimately be up to members whether or not to turn up for work at 7am.

"I can't make any decision on what the Executive will or won't do, we're going to discuss it and we're going to go through it later today.

"Every member is making their own decision, the Executive can request the members to do it, but at the moment we're just waiting on the document - we'll have it at half eight, we'll go through it and see what happens from there."

GRA President Ciaran O'Neill says it's a welcome development that they're back in Labour Ct. Strike still on for now pic.twitter.com/QBQpdwuTto

— Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) November 3, 2016

The Garda Commissioner is this evening briefing the media over the provision of policing and security services tomorrow.

It comes as the GRA executive consider Labour Court recommendations issued tonight in a last ditch attempt to avert tomorrow's threatened strike by more than 12,000 Gardaí.

It’s understood that if the Labour Court recommendation meets the GRA’s demands for substantial pay restoration, the executive committee will ask for the strike to be postponed.

Meanwhile the Taoiseach has confirmed work is underway to allow Gardaí access to the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court.

Speaking in Belfast today Enda Kenny was hopeful tomorrow's strike could be avoided.

"The Irish public have a particular bond with An Garda Síochána, not found in many other countries, we don't want that bond broken.

"I spoke to the Attorney General this morning and to the Minister for Justice, and have asked them to get on with the preparation of the legislative mechanisms to allow for access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court for An Garda Síochána."