Next week's talks to resolve the ongoing pay row at Luas have collapsed before they have even begun.

Escalating differences between the sides means that talks to be held at the Workplace Relations Commission on Monday have been shelved due to the unlikelihood of reaching an agreement.

Drivers have been engaged in a series of work stoppages to secure pay rises of up to 53%, which management claim they cannot afford.

Transdev, the firm which runs the Luas, has said that workers are carrying out unofficial work-to-rule in the form of increased toilet breaks.