Shane Ross: I’m not a sugar daddy on a white horse with a cheque book

Transport Minister Shane Ross has warned he will not intervene in the Dublin Bus strike, saying he is not a “sugar daddy” and cannot be expected to “ride in on a white horse and shining armour with a cheque book”.

Mr Ross’s refusal to get directly involved came as Dublin Bus chief executive Ray Coyne warned striking workers of the “catastrophic” impact of their actions, claiming the move risks cancelling the firm’s recovery and that their pay rise request will cost €50m by 2018.

Speaking at the Dáil transport committee, Mr Ross accepted that the strike — which will see Dublin Bus services grind to a halt again tomorrow and Saturday — was causing havoc.