Strike chaos still looms

THE PROSPECT of widespread public transport chaos remained last night as SIPTU representatives at CIÉ failed to reach an agreement to call off tomorrow’s planned 24-hour stoppage.

Despite last-minute assurances from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, which saw SIPTU call off a six-hour stoppage at Aer Rianta’s Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, union officials at CIE broke from discussions last night without reaching agreement. Talks resume at 2pm today.

Uncertainty hangs over up to 500,000 public transport users pending the outcome of last night’s talks.