Transport Minister Shane Ross has appealed to both sides in the bus dispute to sit down and talk in an effort to bring about a resolution to the ongoing strike.

Drivers are today finishing their second 48 hour strike with 13 more days of action planned for the coming weeks.

Minister Shane Ross has rejected claims he is not doing enough to bring about a resolution to the row over pay and conditions.  He rejected the criticisms as part of the cut and thrust of politics.

He says the industrial machinery of the state is there to assist in bringing about a resolution and he has encouraged both sides to sit down and talk.

He says he does not want the impression that there is a pot of gold or an open cheque book available to the government to help resolve the issue.

He spoke to reporters this morning: