Irish Rail chief to depart

Irish Rail chief executive David Franks, who was described as “anti-driver” and “anti-union” by staff representatives earlier this week, has announced that he is to leave the company in the coming months.

He is to take up a senior position in the public transport sector in Australia.

The announcement of his departure comes at a time when tensions are once again high between the company and its staff after drivers overwhelmingly rejected a Labour Court recommendation on past productivity and mentoring even though it would have involved a 1.15% pay increase for the productivity and €31 per day for training new drivers.