Irish civil servants' work-to-rule threatens smooth running of EU Council presidency

Senior civil-service officials have privately alerted Irish ministers that a work-to-rule commencing Wednesday could seriously impede the country’s EU Council presidency. The industrial action, part of a broader public-sector pay dispute, limits staff to contractual duties and arrives as officials draft a compromise on the EU’s next seven-year budget, a key priority for European leaders. Although unions have exempted certain budget-related civil servants, no exemption covers work tied to the presidency, potentially affecting travel to Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg and weekend negotiations.

The largest union, Fórsa, permits overtime for presidency tasks, but the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants advises members against extra duties. A one-day strike is also planned for October 14 to increase pressure ahead of pay talks. Government ministers have been briefed on the likely challenges for Dublin-based officials expected to accompany them to EU meetings.