The Irish Aviation Authority says no business can have its staff dictate what work they will do and will not do.

They have issued a statement ahead of an IMPACT meeting today where the union executive will consider their next step in their dispute with the authority.

Air Traffic Controllers shut down the country’s three main airports for 4 hours yesterday, in a row over the introduction of new technology and the payment of a 6% pay rise.

There are fears that the action could escalate, depending on today’s union meeting.

Martin Wall is industrial correspondent with the Irish Times – he says such action here also has a knock on effect further afield.

“Air traffic controllers in Ireland control air traffic that is not only flying into and out of  the country, but that is also over-flying Irish airspace” he said.

“So the fact that…any industrial action by air traffic controllers in Ireland will not only impact upon air travellers in Ireland, but also will cause some disruption internationally” he added.