Members of the Socialist Party operated as secret society for years within one of the main public service trade unions and were a disruptive influence, its former general secretary has said.

Speaking at the weekend the former general secretary of the Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU) Blair Horan said members of the Socialist Party acted as a caucus within the organisation.

He said their agenda was against bin taxes or against the EU and had nothing to do with the interests of ordinary workers. He said they were “completely unrealistic” in what could be achieved.

Mr Horan said that for the 25 years he was at the helm of the CPSU the Social Party members had acted as a “secret society” in the organisation.

Speaking on the “Talking Point” programme with Sarah Carey on Newstalk radio on Saturday he said the group had contributed very little to negotiations on behalf of ordinary members.

However he said sometimes the existence of the group of Socialist Party members in the union could prove beneficial.

“Sometime it could be useful as I could go into the Department of Finance and say if you do not settle with me, these lunatics will be coming behind me.”

He said that everything that was negotiated by by his union had been put to a ballot for ordinary member to make a decision.

Mr Horan's comments came in response to criticism made by Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy of trade union leaders. He said some union leaders lived lives like Ministers or bosses and wanted an easy life rather than to lead a struggle.

Mr Horan stepped down as general secretary of the CPSU last year.