The Labour Court has made a recommendation to Irish Rail workers in a dispute over pay.

Under the terms, it says staff should receive a 7.5% pay increase over the next three years.

This would translate to an increase of 2.5% each year.

These would come into effect on December 1st 2017, December 1st 2018 and December 1st 2019.

It is also recommending that staff receive a once-off €500 voucher before the end of the year.

Unions are now considering the recommendation.

Unions at the transport company have already held two 24-hour work stoppages over the past two weeks.

However future strike days planned in the coming weeks have been suspended in order to ballot members on the deal.

Workers had wanted a pay rise of 3.75% a year for the next three years, but management said that is not sustainable.

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

Greg Ennis from SIPTU says workers now have to decide if they accept these terms.

"A count and result of the ballot on the Labour Court recommendation will take place on December the 8th.

"And can I say that the two days of industrial action that have taken place has been most regrettable, has been unnecessary.

"We apologise to the public who have been discommoded by the industrial action, but our case has been just".

Reporting by: Stephanie Grogan and Jack Quann