Eamon Gilmore's opened up the possibility that Minister Brendan Howlin won't follow through with his threat to legislate for pay cuts without agreement.

The Tanaiste and Labour says payroll savings of €300million still have to be made despite the rejection of the Croke park deal by unions.

Eamonn Gilmore has also rejected any suggestion the coalition has been damaged by the vote.

The public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions meets to vote on the deal today, after SIPTU's decision to reject it yesterday killed off any prospect of the agreement being accepted by the union umbrella body.

The Tainiste has has appealed for time to consider the consequences of the ballot.