The Labour Court has agreed to issue a recommendation on the Irish Rail pay dispute later today.

Talks between management and unions ended at the Labour Court last night, with the court agreeing to issue a recommendation by this evening.

The group of unions at Irish Rail will meet to consider the court's findings as soon as they are available.

In a statement yesterday, unions said: "Following submissions made by all parties, the Court stated that it believed it could issue a recommendation that would assist in resolving the current industrial dispute at Irish Rail."

Unions at the transport company have already held two 24-hour work stoppages over the past two weeks, with three further strikes currently scheduled for the coming weeks.

One of those strikes is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 14th - the same day as the scheduled Ireland v Denmark World Cup play-off in Dublin.

National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) General Secretary Dermot O'Leary explained: "The committee of the five trade unions will sit down this afternoon as soon as we receive the recommendation.

"We will consider that recommendation, and we will consider our situation in relation to disputes."

Workers at Irish Rail want a pay rise of 3.75% a year for the next three years, but management say that is not sustainable.

They have offered a 1.75% rise this year and negotiations on any further increases.

The unions, however, want a 'no strings attached' deal - arguing they have not had a pay rise in almost 10 years.