The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) has invited all sides in the Irish Rail dispute to talks aimed at ending the row.

The exploratory discussions will take place in Dublin tomorrow to assess if there is a basis for a resolution.

Members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and SIPTU have staged two out of five 24-hour strikes over pay cuts.

Last Sunday and Monday, tens of thousands of Irish Rail customers faced major disruption to services due to work stoppages.

Workers represented by the NBRU and SIPTU staged the action in protest at the implementation of pay cuts of up to 6%.

Three further days of strikes are planned for next month on the 7th, 8th and 21st of September - two of which will coincide with the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals.

Today the LRC has invited the unions and management to exploratory talks.

Dermot O'Leary is the general-secretary of the NBRU.

It is understood SIPTU has also accepted the invitation, while Irish Rail says it will be attending the talks.

The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe is welcoming the intervention, adding that he is hopeful of a positive outcome.

"I welcome the fact that the LRC has intervened at this time and that the invitations to talks have been accepted by the parties to the Irish Rail dispute. As I have maintained, the LRC is the appropriate forum in which discussions can, and should, take place, and am hopeful of positive outcome," Mr Donohue said.