Kevin Mulvey criticises planned Luas strike on St Patrick’s Day

Luas drivers’ plans to strike on St Patrick’s Day have been severely criticised by the head of the mediation body which will next week start looking for some common ground which could avert the action.

Kevin Mulvey, director general of the Workplace Relations Commission, said: “I am not enamoured at the idea of a gun being put to our heads in the context of negotiations particularly around St Patrick’s Day.

“St Patrick’s Day is our national holiday and it does not behove trade unionists of any kind or any description... to be involved in a national dispute on our national holiday involving a vital element of public transport in our city.”