Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has refused to intervene in the Luas pay dispute, despite the prospect of strikes on St Patrick's Day and the Easter weekend.

Pay talks between both staff and management broke down at the Workplace Relations Commission last night, leading to threats of an all-out strike from the SIPTU union.

Drivers had reduced their pay claim of up to 54%, by almost half, but it was still too far away from what the operators Transdev were prepared to consider.

Minister for Transport, and re-elected TD for Dublin Central, Paschal Donohoe, said he will not be getting involved at this stage.

"I think if I were to do so, I would subvert the very work that's under place in the Workplace Relations Commission and in our Labour courts," he said.

"And if I were to get involved at this stage, it would undermine their work completely, and it would have an irresponsible effect on such kind of issues that could arise in the future."