Shane Ross urged to act on rail strikes

Transport Minister Shane Ross is being urged to “get on with” resolving the Iarnród Éireann pay dispute after being accused of being more interested in sending tweets about Manchester United and “fantasy” North Korean trips than his own job.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin issued the rebuke as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar insisted rival parties must be “honest” and admit the State must choose between service improvements or staff pay rises.

Speaking during the latest leaders’ questions debate held during the second of five Iarnrod Éireann strike days, Mr Martin said Mr Ross had failed to address the core of the problem and has been invisible since the industrial action started.