ESB unions say a strike could cause power outages

The ESB group of Unions says the threat of power outages caused by strike action is very real - but won't happen during the Christmas period.

Government Ministers are urging ESB management and unions to sit down and resolve the row which is threatening electricity supply this winter.

Unions at the semi-state have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action over a 1.7 billion euro hole in the company pension scheme.

Secretary of the ESB Group of Unions, Brendan Ogle says they're ready and willing to talk;