Rail strike averted following 18 hours of negotiations

Full rail services will operate this morning, after more than 18 hours of negotiations to resolve a dispute at Irish Rail.

Industrial action was called off when talks finished up at the Workplace Relations Commission just before 4am this morning.

All matters in the dispute with train drivers over payment for past productivity and a reduction in working hours are now being referred to the Labour Court.

All mainline, commuter and Dart services will be fully operational from 6am, but delays are to be expected.

Spokesperson for Irish Rail is Barry Kenny who apologised to customers for the upset in schedule.

“Obviously we are very pleased we have full services operating today across Dart, commuter and intercity," He said.

"We appreciate with a very late conclusion of the talks some people may have made alternative arrangements already..

"But services will be working across all of our routes today and we do apologise for the uncertainty.”

A number of reports stated people were extremely unhappy with the last minute notice.