Varadkar: Bus strike targets people with no alternative to public transport

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has criticised the strike at Dublin Bus, saying that it "targets those who have no other alternative to public transport".

The Minister also warned that the strike "exacerbates the financial position at Dublin Bus".

He urged trade unions to reconsider their position and to call off the strike.

"Both sides should do everything to agree the necessary savings in order to protect existing service levels," he added.

Workers at Dublin Bus are continuing their strike this afternoon, demanding management come to the table and compromise on new cost-cutting measures.

The cuts, which are aimed at saving €12m from the company, have been dismissed by unions as unfair.

"I hope the commuters realise that we've actually avoided strike for the past two or three years," said one driver.

John McCamley of SIPTU called on Dublin Bus to enter into another round of negotiations, saying that "the ball is very much in their court".

"They're the ones who have set the implementation date, we're merely reacting to what they have initiated," he said.

Media and communications manager at Dublin Bus Cliona Ní Fhatharta said: "Well, I think the only way that there can be talks at this stage is if they're meaningful and constructive talks and if they're talks that surround achieving these savings.

"We here [at Dublin Bus] are not averse to talking. We've been talking for 14 months, talking is not a problem for us, but talks have to be constructive talks."

Dermot O'Leary of National Bus and Rail Union said: "In terms of the changes the company are implementing, it would be very difficult for us to sit down and have discussions with that hanging over us.

"I'm not going to, as I said, engage in megaphone discussions at this early stage."