Virtually all of the public transport system is at a standstill today. The result is that over 400,000 public transport users have been severely inconvenienced, something which I and the Government very much regret.

- The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke

We are now in the midst of the worst public transport dispute for more than 30 years.

- Mr Emmet Stagg (Labour)

We have surely reached the point where the level of hardship is so intolerable that alternatives must be found.

- Mr Ivan Yates (FG)

We are keeping alternative transport under review but I am very loath to take that road.

- Ms O'Rourke

The strike-breaking call this morning by IBEC that the Army and private bus operations be used to break the strike expresses the breathtaking arrogance of the captains of industry . . . IBEC represents speculators and private landlords who rack-rent . . .

- Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party)