The Minister for Public Transport has described today’s strike by Dublin Bus workers as 'a ‘bad day for public transport in Ireland'.’

Up to 230 thousand passengers face major disruption in the capital -there are also up to 120 thousand GAA fans in Dublin for the senior football quarter finals, and Dublin Bus services to and from the airport will be affected.

Strike action at Dublin bus got underway last night-when Nitelink services stopped at midnight and unions say pickets are being placed at all Dublin bus garages from this morning.

The strike follows workers rejecting a deal of nearly 12 million euro in cost savings by the company.

Minister Alan Kelly says today's strike action- is 'deeply regrettable and unnecessary' and he is appealing to all sides to come together to try and solve their problems.

Dermot O'Leary, is the Assistant General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union.