Minister urges eircom, union to 'consider options' before strike

The Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan is urging both sides in the eircom dispute to use the State's dispute resolution mechanisms before taking any steps that might impact on its customers.

Management at eircom have said they are disappointed by the union's decision to go ahead with a strike.

The company owns 80% of the country's phone lines and industrial action is likely to disrupt services.

However, eircom's human resources director Tony Olthof has said the impact on customers will be kept to a minimum.

Tony Olthof gives his reaction to today's breakdown in talks between the Communications Workers Union (representing eircom workers) and management.