Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association members are "holding the country to ransom", the Minister for Public Enterprise said yesterday.
Calling on ILDA members to return to work, Mrs O'Rourke yesterday said it was far too long for one-third of the workforce to hold "the other two-thirds, the country and tourists up to ransom".
However, she ruled out becoming personally involved. "There can be no intervention. I cannot intervene."
The Minister also condemned "in the strongest terms" yesterday's action by ILDA representatives at Limerick Junction.
She said the "wildcat action" ill became drivers who said their main grievance was "safety".
"It is disgraceful that one-third can hold to ransom the people of Ireland." She said there was very little she could do, as the ILDA is not a recognised negotiating body.
"I cannot act in contempt of a court order. But I do intend to continue to call on the workers to come back in. And I will call on them again and again to come back in," Mrs O'Rourke said.
Appealing to the ILDA members she said: "Your skills are needed. When you come back in your needs can be addressed. Iarnrod Eireann want to talk."od Eireann in their appeal to come back to work," she said.
ILDA representatives themselves brought the court order which has tied her hands, she reminded the Killarney representatives.
"I can't intervene by law. I can't flout the law."
The Minister was speaking in Caherciveen at a meeting with representatives of the Killarney Rail Action Group. The group estimates that the dispute has cost the town £25 million.
South Kerry TDs Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, Ms Breeda Moynihan-Cronin and the Minister for Justice, Mr John O'Donoghue, along with Senator Paul Coghlan also attended the meeting.
Mrs O'Rourke paid tribute to the two thirds of train drivers who are continuing to do extra rosters because of their striking colleagues.
Mr Healy-Rae called on the Minister to bring in the Army. "There was never a bigger emergency in the south of Ireland than we have today. "I don't care if you brought the German army in to solve it: do something," he said.
But any intervention by the Army was discounted. It takes 70 weeks to train a train driver, Mr Healy-Rae was told.