Coalition ‘like hurlers on the ditch’ over rail dispute

Fianna Fáil has attacked the Government over the rail strike, claiming that Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe had been “observing from the sidelines” and that his coalition colleagues acted like “hurlers on the ditch”.

Tánaiste and Labour leader, Joan Burton

The opposition party’s transport spokesman, Timmy Dooley, made the allegation as he insisted unions “need certainty” and had called on the Government to “intervene” immediately to bring the stand-off to an end.

Despite discussions taking place throughout the week, the October bank holiday will begin with a three-hour rail strike between 6am and 9am this morning, a highly disruptive step linked to calls for a 7.9% pay rise for train drivers.