The ESB union boss has denied holding the country to ransom over a potential black-out in the run up to Christmas.

But Brendan Ogle says there is still a chance of an all out strike after December 16th - if the row over the company's pension deficit isn't resolved.

Both sides are due to meet for talks on Thursday - but the union says management has so far not committed to the meeting.

Brendan Ogle told Newstalk's Breakfast workers are not impervious to the effect a strike would have - but he says they have to fight back:

Mr. Ogle has also warned that it is ESB workers who run the transmissions network, so customers using other providers like Eirgrid could also be affected by any strike action.