A "withdrawal of labour" by gardaí has been mooted by rank-and-file officers if the government fails to address a number of key issues, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

There is deep unrest among members of the force at the controversial pension levy on public servants as well as the government's "soft" approach when dealing with financial institutions involved in controversy.

Under current legislation, gardaí cannot take strike action. In 1998, they took unofficial action during its 'blue flu' campaign, which saw members ring in sick in a row over pay. Garda Representative Association (GRA) president Michael O'Boyce ruled out the possibility of another 'blue flu' campaign. "There will not be a 'blue flu' under my presidency, but if we're not listened to, we'll be looking at other forms of agitation," he told the Sunday Tribune.

A senior source said that, at consultation meetings around the county, rank-and-file gardaí have raised the possibility of withdrawing labour if the government does not address their concerns. "No one wants to do that but it is one radical alternative being discussed," the source added.

Next Wednesday, up to 1,500 off-duty gardaí are expected to gather at Parnell Square, Dublin, to take part in an historic public protest at 1.30pm. While the pension levy is the "catalyst" for the protest, the GRA are calling for new legislation to require financial institutions to write down 20% of the personal value of mortgages, and "humanity" from the banks to allow people to opt out of fixed-term mortgages without a penalty being imposed.

"If we get a signal from government that they are re-connecting with society, if those who profiteered during the boom years shoulder the burden now; that would appease our members. We want to highlight our anger at the current government's inability to control and challenge corporate Ireland."