Varadkar calls for Aer Lingus talks to continue

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has called on Aer Lingus management and pilots to re-engage in talks aimed at averting strike action at the airline.

His intervention follows the breakdown of talks at the LRC early this morning.

A spokesman for the Minister said Minister Varadkar was calling on the parties to engage in negotiations to reach agreement.

Up to 30,000 Aer Lingus passengers per day will be affected should the strike action proceed as planned from Tuesday.

The airline is considering what contingency plans can be put in place.

The pilots union IALPA said its members remained open to resuming talks this weekend, but conceded that was unlikely to happen.

IALPA spokesman Niall Shanahan said: "At the moment IALPA would have no expectation that further conciliatory talks would take place this weekend. However, they do remain open if that option becomes available."