Strikes will embarrass Ireland, says Brennan

Trade unionists preparing a series of strikes are embarrassing the country, not just the Government, it was claimed today.

Transport minister Seamus Brennan is hoping to make use of the Baldonnel military aerodrome in Dublin on Thursday when planned strike action is set shut Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

A government transport spokesman said Mr Brennan was confident Baldonnel would be suitable for limited use to ease the travel chaos expected around St Patrick’s Day.

SIPTU, the country’s largest trade union, has planned three further strikes in April – in protest at Government plans to break-up the state-owned CIE transport firm – all aimed at disrupting scheduled meetings of the EU presidency.

But Mr Brennan warned that by targeting EU meetings, transport workers were shaming the whole country.

“This could be the last time Ireland will hold the EU presidency and has such an opportunity to show it off,” he said.

“It’s not just the Government’s presidency, it’s the country’s presidency. If the unions go ahead with this action they will be embarrassing Ireland.”

SIPTU has announced a six-hour stoppage at airports beginning at 7.30am on Thursday.

A full public transport 24-hour strike is also planned by members from midnight on St Patrick’s Day which will shut down bus and rail services, causing mayhem for hundreds of visitors to the capital over the holiday.

Further limited strike action is planned at the Republic’s airports on April 2, 20 and 26.