The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe appears to be moving towards meeting one of the demands of unions in the dispute at Irish Rail.

Both SIPTU and the NBRU say the issue of state funding for the company is central to the cost-cutting row.

Talks are underway at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in a bid to resolve the dispute. Two days of all-out strike are planned for next Sunday and Monday, and a further day of action on Sunday September 21st.

After three hours of talks on Saturday, all sides in the Irish Rail dispute are back at the Labour relations Commission this afternoon.

Mr Donohoe says he hopes not to impose any further cuts in government funding on Irish Rail. However he says he will not intervene directly in this dispute.

On his way into the talks earlier, the human resources director at Irish Rail, Ciaran Masterson, was optimistic that while difficulties lay ahead, they could look at averting the next 48 hour strike that will hit All-Ireland hurling final fans on Sunday, and commuters on Monday.

That optimism though was not shared by unions.

Owen Reidy of SIPTU said there is really only one way the strike can be called off.

And the NBRU was more trenchant, saying the big issue now was for the government and how it funds Irish Rail.

The general-secretary is Dermot O'Leary.

Commuters will be keeping a keen eye on these talks, but as of yet there is little sign that the planned strike for Sunday and Monday can be averted.