PUBLIC sector workers will continue to protest until an alternative solution to further pay cuts is found.

Peter Nolan, Impact's local government and education division national secretary, said Tuesday's strike action gave a taste of life without public services in place. 'We had a massive turnout throughout the country,' Mr Nolan said. 'I think it's going to have an effect on the population and on Government.

'It may not push us over the line and there may need to be more days like today. But people know what our society is like now without public services, notwithstanding we're providing emergency services.

' The point we're making is you can't come to us in April and take 7%, come in December and take 10%, and come again when, we don't know when, to do that. 'Already public service workers are subject to a moratorium. It's estimated 27,000 jobs could be lost by 2014. I think there will be further strikes and I've absolutely no doubt that the Government are going to take notice.' Mr Nolan spoke of Impact's alternative plan for cost cutting, noting simple solutions such as reducing lighting and heating bills could yield significant savings. And he said a definitive blueprint for the public sector was urgently required.

' We started this campaign back in May,' he continued. 'We don't want cuts in wages, we don't want cuts in services and we don't want cuts in pensions.

'We believe there is an alternative way. We have a cohesive plan to get out of this. We're the only element of civic society that has put forward a comprehensive plan. We need a plan for public services over the next four years.' Mr Nolan also poured scorn on the perceived divide between the private and public sector and said those on strike had the public's backing.

' We're fully cognisant of a loss of jobs in the private sector, because they are married to our members.