Transport Minister Paschal Donohue says the Government remains committed to opening a series of bus routes to private tender despite the threat of union strike action over the May public holiday weekend.

Significant disruption to bus services has moved a step closer after Siptu drivers at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann voted by more than 90% in favour of strike over plans to open up 10% of bus routes to private sector tendering.

Commuters could be facing a summer of disruption after workers at Irish Rail walked out on talks on the company's cost-saving plan.

A new cost-cutting plan at Dublin Bus will come into force in just over two weeks, the company has confirmed.

The Labour Court has intervened to bring an end — for now — to the Dublin Bus strike which yesterday left 400,000 workers, shoppers, and tourists without bus services in the capital.

Changes to Dublin Bus services will not come into effect tomorrow as planned.

Further transport disruption was threatened tonight after trade union bosses served strike action notice on Aer Lingus.

The bus and rail strike planned for next week looks to have been averted after plans to privatise certain Dublin Bus routes were dropped late last night by the Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan.