Drivers at Irish Rail are set to attend talks at the Workplace Relations Commission next week.

Iarnród Éireann management has welcomed the invitation to the company, as well as SIPTU and the NBRU, for next Monday.

"We hope this intervention can ensure that the threatened disruption to rail services planned by trade unions...can be avoided", it says.

Drivers are set to take industrial action 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.

Irish Rail says any disruption will be "hugely damaging", with the effects felt beyond the hours of action due to train sets and crews being out of place for following services.

The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe earlier called on all parties to return to talks.

While Barry Kenny from Irish Rail says he hopes this could mean good news for customers.