The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has urged Bus Éireann unions and management to find a resolution to the strike as quickly as possible.

The strike, which began this morning and affects rural and inter city bus passengers, is being carried out by workers affiliated to the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU). It centres the implementation of a €5 million cost-cutting plan. Mr Gilmore said the strike was not helping anyone.

“I think the strike is not good for the travelling public who are inconvenienced by it. It’s not good for the company which is already in financial difficulties and of course it’s not good for the employees who are losing money as a consequence of the strike,” he said.

“All strikes, all disputes, are ultimately resolved in discussion and negotiation and the sooner that that happens, the better.”

Mr Gilmore was speaking at the Labour Party’s annual commemoration at Arbour Hill cemetery this morning.