Unofficial industrial action by train drivers is expected to affect two mainline passenger services on Monday. Freight trains will also be affected and other services could be disrupted if the action continues.
According to an Iarnrod Eireann spokesman, the 7 a.m. train between Tralee, Co Kerry, and Heuston will begin at Killarney, with a bus transferring passengers from Tralee. The 8.30 a.m. train from Heuston to Tralee will stop at Killarney, with a bus transfer to Tralee.
The unofficial dispute - drivers are refusing to work their rest days - is in advance of official industrial action which is likely in September. Balloting is currently taking place following a Labour Court decision to reject a pay-parity claim by drivers on mainline rail seeking the same wages and conditions as DART drivers.
Mr Liam Tobin, general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU), said the main complaint was with the overall deal. The company had given a commitment that at the end of the negotiating process drivers would "not have a lesser deal" than DART drivers.
He said the unofficial action, which union officials opposed, followed "the company's unilateral decision" to implement the extended and improved Maynooth service from August 13th. There was an in-house agreement that no new or changed services would operate until rosters were agreed.
However, Mr Barry Kenny, the company's spokesman, said the new services were agreed three months ago. Connolly station-based drivers who operated the Maynooth service were working contracted hours which recognised the new Maynooth service.
The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland have warned that the disruption to rail services would be another blow to the confidence of business and the public in using rail.