Donohoe ‘won’t intervene’ in looming rail strike

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has signalled he will not intervene in looming rail strikes timed to coincide with major GAA events.

With industrial action at Irish Rail set to go ahead on the weekends of the All-Ireland football and hurling finals, Mr Donohoe insisted cost-cutting measures were needed to ensure the company’s future.

Rail workers are set to begin a 48-hour strike on August 24 — the day of the first All Ireland football semi-final; and then on the days of the GAA All Ireland finals on September 7 and 21, according to the National Bus And Railworkers’ Union. Mr Donohoe claimed the viability of Irish Rail was now at stake as the company had lost €17m last year.