The union representing third-level teachers has voted to accept the Haddington Road pay deal. The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has ratified the deal which aims to cut €300 million from the public pay bill this year.

The ballot means the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) is the only union whose members have voted against the deal.

Its executive is meeting this afternoon to decide on the form of industrial action it will pursue.

The standing committee of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), which represents 17,000 secondary school teachers, voted against the agreement by a majority of 63% to 37%, it was revealed on Friday.

The Education Minister Ruairi Quinn says he will not be responding to threats of industrial action by the ASTI.

The founding president of the University of Limerick Dr. Ed Walsh says the threat of industrial action is 'outrageous'. He spoke to Lunchtime here on Newstalk.