Rabbitte claimed recent comments on the possibility of industrial action at the ESB were "irresponsible and completely over the top". In a statement to the Sunday Tribune, he accused Ogle . . .

regional organiser with the ATGWU . . . of issuing an "apparent threat" of industrial action which could lead to blackouts in the ESB before the general election.

Rabbitte said that to "start from the position of threatening blackouts is bordering on the reckless and will only damage the standing of the wider trade union movement".

Ogle this weekend said he was "more focused on resolving the huge issues affecting the ESB than getting in a slagging match with Pat Rabbitte". But he said Rabbitte's comments would be dealt with by the union at a higher level.

In a subsequent statement, T&GWU president Jimmy Kelly said the quote, referred to by Rabbitte, that the unions would take "whatever action is necessary" came, not from Ogle individually, but from a joint statement of the six ESB unions. "The ATGWU, through Brendan Ogle, was commenting on a statement issued by the six ESB unions that they will take whatever steps are necessary to get the government to change their attempts to break up the ESB."

Rabbitte's strong criticism of Ogle, a former Labour party member, will raise eyebrows in the trade-union movement and in the left wing of Labour. The Labour leader said his party was "not persuaded" of the merit of breaking up the ESB and was very conscious of "the experience with Eircom" but questioned why the social partnership structures were not capable of "facilitating the input of the union".

Ictu general secretary David Begg said: "If there is any question of power cuts, Ictu will do its level best to avoid it." But he added that Ictu would give the workers "whatever support is required".