No logic to workers' stoppage, says Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night lashed out at striking bus and rail workers who brought public transport to a standstill yesterday.

Speaking after 9,000 CIÉ workers staged a four-hour nationwide stoppage, leaving thousands of commuters and travellers stranded, Mr Ahern said he could not see any justification for industrial action.

"If people were really in that much urgency to get on with talks they could have talked at the weekend," he said, adding that he was at a bit of a loss to understand the logic behind the union's decision to strike.