Unions have agreed to enter talks over the Bus Éireann dispute at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

An all-out strike by workers at the embattled company over proposed cost-cutting measures is well into its second week.

The strike and picketing will continue during the talks.

Bus Éireann will also be attending the talks, stating: "The company’s financial situation continues to deteriorate. Achieving savings to remain solvent and sustain the business is now vital.”

The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) says the first item on their agenda when talks get underway tomorrow morning will be a "complete review of the managerial structure at Bus Éireann".

General Secretary Dermot O'Leary said his union remains opposed to any route closures.

He stressed that workers remain "extremely frustrated with the apparent lack of urgency around the requirement to resolve this debilitating transport dispute".

SIPTU Sector Organiser Willie Noone, meanwhile, said: “The strike by workers and the picketing of Bus Éireann depots will continue. This is due to fact that some of our members have been dismissed from their jobs in recent days.

"To expect our members to return to work without resolving this situation or reversing the cuts that the company has already imposed on other workers is not reasonable or acceptable.”

He added: "[Continuing the strike may] also focus the minds of the management of Bus Éireann and stop it from walking away from talks for the third time. SIPTU is committed to achieving an outcome to this dispute which will underpin the survival of Bus Éireann as an employer which treats its workers fairly and with dignity.” 

Wildcat strikes by Bus Éireann workers brought Dublin Bus and Irish Rail services to a virtual standstill last Friday, with unions insisting they were not involved in the surprise & unofficial action.