Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has urged Taoiseach Micheál Martin to ensure pay is the first item on the agenda in negotiations with public sector workers, who begin strike action tomorrow.

Speaking in the Dáil, McDonald said more than 300,000 workers, including nurses, teachers, and special needs assistants, will go on strike after the previous public sector pay deal expired in June.

She said the government had four months to engage in meaningful negotiations but failed to do so. "That is what has brought us to this point," she said.

McDonald criticised comments by the Taoiseach that people "want industrial action, irrespective of what happens," saying they provoked anger among workers.

She said public sector workers do not want to strike, but need a fair pay settlement to address the rising cost of living.

The Sinn Féin leader called on the Taoiseach to intervene constructively and agree to talks with pay as the priority. "Pay must be at the core of these negotiations," she said.

The strike is expected to cause school closures, cancellation of hospital appointments, and disruption to public services.