DUBLIN, Ireland - Tim Galvin, President of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has warned that the Gardai are not prepared to handle terror threats.

He said that frontline Gardai would not know what to do if there was a terror attack.

Galvin pointed out that Gardai are not given sufficient information or training to respond to threats posed by international terrorists and extremists.

The concern for AGSI is that we have no involvement in the planning or the preparation of information that comes in from threats. So frontline staff, who are the first that will be affected because we are first responders to any incident that may occur, are not given specific information. For example if theres a weather warning every guard in the country is notified but theres no notification of any terror threats. Were working in an information deficit and thats the concern, he explained.

Gardai have said they may consider striking if there are further cuts to their pay

Addressing audiences on RTEs Morning Ireland, Galvin further said, We are working in a vacuum. How do you respond, what do you do? There is no training. No information is coming through to frontline staff.

With the issue of pay being high on priority of discussion at AGSIs conference in Co Mayo, authorities are said to be proposing a motion to demand that it is restored to 2008 levels. Gardai have further warned that they would breach protocol by striking against further cuts to their wages.

Galvin said, All we want is the right to sit down and negotiate our own pay, not rely on other people to decide what Gardai should be paid. Our situation is unique, we go out every day you never know what youre going to face. The current situation in Dublin with crime gangs and the use of firearms, the job is getting more and more difficult, we are dealing with a different society, our work has become more and more difficult and dangerous.

The body is further demanding that all frontline officers be supplied with bullet-proof vests, to take into account the increasing amount of armed gangs in the capital and that Gardai be given body cameras.