The Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell, will this evening hold an urgent meeting with a number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers said to be angry at the Minister's hardline stance on prisons.
Yesterday Mr McDowell threatened to close two of the State's prisons and out-source the management of two other units in an escalation of a confrontation with prison officers over their €64 million overtime bill.
A number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers, particularly those with prisons in their constituencies, are said to be extremely unhappy with the situation.
The Prison Officers Association (POA), who yesterday expressed dismay at the Minister's plan, are understood to represent a strong lobby in certain rural constituencies.
A Fianna Fáil spokeswoman told ireland.com this evening that Mr McDowell was due to meet a number of TDs tonight to outline the Government's plans.
Mr McDowell's plan would see the temporary closure of prisons at Spike Island and the Curragh from January and the introduction of a new entry grade for new prison officers and the staffing of the open prisons at Loughan House and Shelton Abbey by non-prison service staff.