Monday 25 August 2014 16.10 Tens of thousands of rail passengers are having to make alternative travel arrangements as a strike at Iarnród Éireann continues for a second day.
The company has implemented pay cuts of between 1.7% and 6%, following prolonged negotiations.
The cost-cutting proposals were accepted by three unions at Iarnród Éireann, but rejected by the National Bus and Rail Union and SIPTU.
Unions and management have been involved in talks on cost-cutting proposals for more than 18 months.
As the strike continues for a second day, and with further disruption to services scheduled next month - there is no talk of further negotiations, and no sign of Government intervention.
Iarnród Éireann imposed unilateral pay cuts yesterday, having accumulated losses of almost €150m over the past six years.
The NBRU has said its members are being asked to replace funding that the Government reduced.
The NBRU began its 48-hour strike action yesterday.
SIPTU began its 24-hour action today.
Head of Communications at Iarnród Éireann Barry Kenny said the company is engaged in all levels in addressing its financial situation.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Kenny said there was an ongoing review with the National Transport Authority in terms of the funding available for Iarnród Eireann's services.
However, Mr Kenny said 60% of the company's costs came from the pay bill.
He said there was no way of bridging the gap without getting some savings from pay.
Mr Kenny said the company felt that what it had proposed was modest.
Support for all-out strike - NBRU
The General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union has said his union has a mandate for an all-out strike over cost-cutting measures at Iarnród Éireann.
Speaking on the same programme, Dermot O'Leary said NBRU members will review their actions on 23 September.
He said the possibility of an all-out stoppage should not be ignored given that the union has a mandate of over 80% in favour of this action.
"We'll have a review of our actions if it goes to that stage on the 23rd of September. It is not for me to decide what out next course of action will be but just to remind people that this trade union has a mandate of 80% for an all-out strike so people should not ignore that either."
Mr O'Leary urged Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe to use his offices to address funding issues at Iarnród Éireann.
He said there is a lack of trust among NBRU members in Iarnród Éireann, given he said, that despite a suite of cost-cutting measures being proposed to his members in 2012, ten months later the company proposed further cuts.
Mr O'Leary said his members also do not have confidence in Government support due to the reduction in subvention levels.
He said the only solution to this dispute was for the Government, Iarnród Éireann and workers to engage in discussions.
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