The Taoiseach has warned that the current strike by the ATGWU to represent train drivers could lead to "industrial anarchy" and undermine the role of trade unions as social partners.
He was speaking in the Dail on the eve of today's investigation by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions into the train drivers' dispute. There appears to be an increasing likelihood that the 50,000 strong ATGWU will leave congress if it is not given the right to represent the 110 members of its new Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association branch.
The union's Irish regional executive is meeting this morning to decide strategy. An emergency motion from the Waterford branch strongly supports the stance being taken by the Irish secretary, Mr Mick O'Reilly, in the dispute. On the other hand, many members at Iarnrod Eireann's railway workshop in Inchicore worked normally yesterday.
Mr O'Reilly said last night: "I do not want to leave ICTU. I am committed to ICTU, but I have to have some help in staying in there. I am not going to leave these guys by the side of the road. If they are not with me they'll be with the AEEU, or some other union."
Today's strike affects routes from Dublin to Sligo, Ballina, Westport and Mullingar, which are used by 3,500 people. Buses will be provided between Athlone, Ballina and Westport. The 6.10 a.m. Longford-Dublin and 17.15 Dublin-MaynoothLongford trains have been cancelled.
On Tuesday 100,000 people were affected by the strike. Yesterday, the figure was 25,000 and all routes to and from Heuston Station were disrupted. These included Intercity services to Munster and commuter services between Cork and Cobh, and between Dublin, Kildare and Portlaoise. There was a limited service to Galway.
The next stoppage, also on the Dublin to Sligo, Ballina, Westport and Mullingar lines, is scheduled for next Monday.
The Taoiseach strongly criticised the strikes in the Dail. They were "manifestly unnecessary" and "causing severe hardship", he said.
The action was at variance with commitments to industrial peace and stability in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness and "a flagrant breach of agreed procedures within the trade union movement, as has been pointed out by the Congress of Trade Unions leadership.
"The orderly conduct of industrial relations is essential to our well-being, quite apart from the implications for the PPF. Without it, we would have anarchy and the public and the economy would suffer, ultimately damaging jobs and competitiveness."
For details of today's services travellers can phone 1850 366 222 or visit www.irishrail.ie.