This is the first time such an action has been mounted while the Oireachtas is in formal session and follows on from a phone ban and other industrial action yesterday.
The unions in question - the CPSU, PSEU and IMPACT - forecast that the action will 'severely impact' on Oireachtas business, including committee sessions.
In a joint statement, the unions said that email correspondence and document transmission play a central role in the circulation of draft legislation and related papers including amendments, the circulation of the order of business, the work agendas of all committees and the enabling of access to the Houses of those members of the public attending such meetings - including those scheduled to provide direct evidence to the committees.
CPSU Assistant General Secretary Theresa Dwyer described the action as unfortunate, but warned that pressure on Dáil and Seanad proceedings would intensify further when the Dáil resumes after the St Patrick's Day break, unless meaningful negotiations get under way.
IMPACT National Secretary Louise O'Donnell stressed that the action was directed towards the Government, and not at the wider public.
PSEU Assistant General Secretary Phyllis Behan said certain Oireachtas members had not only voted to cut the pay of public servants, but in some cases had availed of every opportunity to denigrate them.
