Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore says he would be prepared to take on the unions in Government if he felt it was necessary.

With a week to go to a national day of public sector strikes, Eamon Gilmore says he is still opposed to industrial action as a way to resolve issues.

He says the public-service pay bill must be reduced - but the cuts must be achieved through talks.

"Union leaders have a responsibility to their members and political parties have responsibility to govern and provide political leadership," said Gilmore.

Asked if he would be willing to face down the unions, he replied: "If necessary, yes."

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03/02/2010: Support disappears for backbench revolt on pay cut exemption
02/02/2010: Taoiseach: Public sector reforms would eliminate need for further pay cuts
02/02/2010: Public service pay cuts fair, insists Cowen
02/02/2010: Lenihan to defend pay cuts U-turn
01/02/2010: Union meets to discuss next step after work-to-rule
01/02/2010: 70,000 Siptu workers to join pay-cuts protests
31/01/2010: Govt 'may suspend civil servants who refuse to carry out work' - report
30/01/2010: Unions: No chance of avoiding public-sector action
28/01/2010: Kenny 'cannot condone' public sector work-to-rule
28/01/2010: Public sector industrial action to intensify
27/01/2010: Support growing for campaign against pay cuts, says union
26/01/2010: Public sector workers to step up industrial action
26/01/2010: 'Everything on the table' says public sector union executive
26/01/2010: Union meet to review public sector work-to-rule
25/01/2010: IVEA leader welcomes intervention by LRC
25/01/2010: Thousands of public servants to stage industrial action
14/01/2010: Thousands of health workers may strike over cuts
13/01/2010: Chambers Ireland hits out at public-sector strikes