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Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has indicated the Government may consider a 'no-strike' clause in the contracts of workers in vital services, after disruption today at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports due to industrial action by air traffic controllers.

Up to 150 flights carrying some 20,000 passengers in and out of the country's three main airports were cancelled this afternoon. Runways were closed between 2pm and 6pm while the 300 controllers attended a mandatory meeting called by their trade union, Impact.