The Garda Representative Association (GRA) says it has had a very serious exchange of views with the Garda Commissioner.

Officials from the union briefed Martin Callinan today on its decision to pull out of the public sector pay talks.

The GRA represents rank and file officers and also used the meeting to outline the difficulties facing Gardaí.

The Department of Expenditure is looking to cut €1 billion from the pay and pensions bill through cuts to wages, overtime and premium payments and through the implementation of longer working hours.

'No special treatment' for emergency workers

Meanwhile the Taoiseach Enda Kenny has rejected opposition claims that frontline emergency workers should be treated differently in the current round of pay talks to extend the Croke Park Agreement.

The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said gardaí stand to loose up to €200 month, and nurses who also work around the clock could take a hit of €320 a month.

Enda Kenny said the government regards every public servant as a frontline worker in their own way.

But Micheál Martin said emergency workers should be given special treatment.

"They are in a different category; let us not pretend that they're not, or that they're somehow similar to others" he said.

"They're not similar to others - that is why you had premium pay in from day one in situations like that".

Or people in the streets at 3 in the morning, trying to deal with anti-social behaviour - they're different" he added.

P.J. Stone is the General-Secretary of the GRA.

He says the Commissioner wants time to reflect on the issues.