Tens of thousands of passengers have been affected by 270 flight cancellations so far.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Mark Tighe said pilots did not want to be in this situation, but it was the “level of corporate greed” in Aer Lingus that had led to the current dispute.

Government officials were finalising the proposals of the financial package which amounts to €3.6 billion spread over four budgets

A ballot for industrial action at the ICTU health group of unions took place after Workplace Relations Commission talks collapsed in July