A Cabinet Minister says it would not be right at this time for the government to make an intervention in the ESB dispute that could see the lights go out in 11 days time.

Ruairi Quinn has told the Dáil that he is hopeful for a solution to the row over a pension fund deficit before strike notice runs out next week.

More than a quarter of homes across the country could be affected by power cuts if the strike goes ahead.

Fianna Fáil wants the government to intervene, saying contingency plans being put in place are for emergency services only and will not stop black-outs.

Energy regulators are drawing up a 'Plan B' as the threat of blackouts looms from December 16th. Vital services will be maintained and its understood there will be rationing across the national grid in a bid to 'share the pain'.

Meanwhile the Energy Minister has slammed a Senator who wants it to be illegal for workers supplying essential services to go on strike.

The legislation being tabled by Senator Feargal Quinn, for debate in the Seanad next week, would make it a crime to interrupt the supply of basic utilities.

Senator wants to make it illegal for essential services to go on strike 

That means that anybody who deliberately goes out of their way to disrupt the supply of water, gas or electricity would be committing an offence.

The legislation carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in jail for anyone doing so.

But crucially, it would also mean that workers responsible for delivering those services could not go on strike or else they could be committing a criminal offence.

In a statement last night the Energy Minister Pat Rabbite said the plans were anti-constructive. But Senator Quinn is defending his stance.

"I've a great admiration for Pat Rabbitte - but I don't understand him when he criticises something that he hasn't actually read yet, because it's only been published today" he said.

"What it basically is saying is whatever steps are taken by any trade union or any others, that's OK - as long as it doesn't cut supplies of water and electricity to the public, certainly to hospitals and homes" he added.

The Education Minister Ruairi Quinn says the coalition will intervene further if that is what is required in the days ahead.