A one-day strike by Iarnrod Eireann staff who dispense tickets will go ahead today despite the beginning of talks at the Labour Relations Commission between the company and clerical workers' representatives.
Over 40,000 people are expected to travel by rail today as the Christmas rush gets under way, but the company, which is advising people to arrive at least half an hour before scheduled departure, does not expect it to be chaotic. All train services will operate normally, according to a spokesman.
The workers involved are members of the Transport and Salaried Staffs' Association. The Irish secretary, Mr Roger Hannon, said that when it was eventually agreed yesterday evening to begin talks today it was too late to inform staff. Therefore the industrial action would go ahead. Mr Hannon said they had been contacted by the chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission, Mr Kieran Mulvey, yesterday morning inviting them to enter talks.
However, a company spokesman said it had only been invited to attend talks shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday and had been available to begin this evening.