Hopes have been raised that a nationwide train strike on Friday morning could be averted.

Drivers are due to down tools for three hours at the start of the bank holiday weekend.

Talks to avert the action collapsed in the early hours of Saturday morning.

However management at Irish Rail and unions have been meeting today at the Workplace Relations Commission for last ditch talks.

On the way into talks this afternoon all sides said they were hopeful that a deal could be reached to avert strike action.

The dispute centres around past productivity for rail drivers.

Dermot O’Leary from the National Bus and Rail Union says drivers don’t want to strike. 

"No driver wants to be on strike ... I want to make it very clear that the onus is very much on the company and what they can bring to the table," he said.

O'Leary added that compensation for past productivity remains the sticking point.

Drivers are due to stage rush hour stoppages on Friday October 23rd and Friday November 6th between 6.00am and 9.00am on both dates.

This would affect all Intercity, DART and Commuter services.

Workers have said they are owed money for past productivity - but Irish Rail claims any extra payments can only be made if they are promised increased productivity in the future.

The rail operator says it is currently losing €1.5m per month

Barry Kenny of Irish Rail says the company is taking a positive approach to the talks.

But he says time is running out to find a resolution.

Paul Cullen of SIPTU says he is confident an agreement can be reached. 

"We don't want to be in this position, we'll make very effort here today to try and resolves this issue, we'd be confident that something may emerge here," he said.