The new public sector pay deal will dominate the annual conference of middle ranking Gardai, which gets underway in Sligo today.

The meeting of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors comes amid a campaign of opposition to the revised Croke Park Agreement.

Issues relating to morale, firarms, station closures and fleet standards will also be debated during the 3 day conference.

27 motions will be discussed, with over 1/3 relating to the Croke Park 2 deal, described by one AGSI branch as detrimental and damaging to the welfare and morale of the force.

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter is expected to receive a less than warm welcome when he addresses the delegates this evening, while the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan will speak at the conference tomorrow afternoon.