Minister for the Environment John Gormley has said he does not believe the day of strike action by teachers and other public sector workers on 24 November over pay cuts could be averted at this stage.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, the Green Party leader said he understood the concerns of union leaders but did not believe the day of action would achieve anything and could be counter-productive.
Mr Gormley also said he hoped that the proposed new 30% rate for tax relief on private pensions and the abolition of the ceiling on PRSI contributions would be included in the Budget.
He said everyone would have to understand that difficult decisions would have to be made to deal with the economic crisis.
