He declined to say that the Army will not be called in, but stressed the Government is putting “all of our efforts” into ensuring its still- unpublished contingency plans are not needed.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio as Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) officials met yesterday for crisis talks with counterparts from the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Expenditure, Mr Donohoe said the Government is still trying to resolve the pay dispute.

However, despite saying the Coalition has detailed back-up plans in place if the strike takes place, he declined to provide any details — and refused to clarify when asked, if the Army will be called in to protect the country if no resolution is found in just four days’ time.

Mr Donohue added that while “we’re putting all our energy into ensuring those plans are not needed”, the reality is “there’s nothing that can take the place of 12,000 gardaí”.

His comments came as the AGSI met with officials from the Departments of Justice and Public Expenditure in Santry, north Dublin, from 2pm until late yesterday evening in a bid to agree a deal to prevent the strike.

Officials from the two departments are due to meet the Garda Representative Association (GRA) today at the same location, under the oversight of the Workplace Relations Commission.

Neither the AGSI or the departments provided any details on whether progress had been made in the talks last night.

However, Government sources confirmed last night that, while they continue to meet with Garda representatives, should no progress be made by tomorrow evening, they will escalate contingency plans that are already being put in place.

While the AGSI and the GRA are seeking 16.5% pay increases for members, some of whom are on starting salaries of just €24,000 a year, the Government has repeatedly stressed it cannot and will not increase basic pay levels, as this will lead to a costly domino effect for 20 other public sector unions.

It was claimed at the weekend that increased allowances, such as the €4,000 rent allowance and on-parade allowance, could be provided to gardaí in order to side-step the domino effect issue, while effectively improving Garda income.

However, both the AGSI and GRA have previously rejected the “substantial package” as it does not increase basic pay levels.

Separately, officials from the Department of Education are due to hold crisis talks with the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland tomorrow in a bid to prevent a second day of strike action in the sector over pay issues.

Many secondary schools were closed last Thursday due to the first of seven planned days of industrial action by teachers.

While the Government is seeking contingency plans to use qualified members of the public to fill in for teachers next week, if no progress is made in the talks, hundreds of facilities may be unable to reopen after the mid-term break.