Substantive talks on the future of CIÉ are to begin today, following preliminary discussions yesterday between unions and the Department of Transport.
The talks, to be concluded within three to four weeks, are seen as a last-ditch attempt by the two sides to find agreement on the future shape of public transport.
Failure to find common ground is likely to lead to further disruption of transport services, with SIPTU threatening a one-day bus and rail stoppage on March 18th. Workers in Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann staged a four-hour, off-peak stoppage on Monday.
Unions are opposed to plans by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, to break up CIÉ and force Dublin Bus to surrender up to 25 per cent of its services to private operators. He also wants to increase competition on Bus Éireann routes. The unions argue that there is scope for competition in an expanding market, but that existing Dublin Bus services should be ring-fenced under any reforms.
Yesterday's discussions between union representatives and Department officials, chaired by Mr Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission, lasted about two hours.
Mr Liam Tobin, general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union, said a schedule had been agreed and substantive talks would begin today.
Asked about the prospects of an agreement, he said: "Hopefully people will see sense. Nobody wants to be involved in nasty actions or anything like that."
The half-day stoppage on Monday, organised by his union and supported by SIPTU, had not been "the greatest PR exercise", but it had been necessary and the reaction from the public had been positive, he added.