Leo Varadkar isn't happy that Aer Lingus is taking legal action against SIPTU

MINISTER LEO VARADKAR has branded legal action by Aer Lingus today as “unhelpful”.

All parties should focus on “the core problems” to avoid the disruption of future strike action, the Minister for Transport said, “and so that members of the pension scheme can get clarity regarding their future entitlements”.

He previously accused unions of “targeting St Patrick’s weekend”.

The airline is taking the action against trade union Siptu for damages lost as a resulted of a threatened strike earlier this week.

“The cloud of uncertainty created by the strike threat has damaged Aer Lingus’ business and disrupted thousands of our customers,” Aer Lingus said.

The company noted that “significant damage has been inflicted” on booking profiles, and extra costs incurred in hiring additional aircraft.

Siptu had intended to hold a four-hour strike today, but this was prevented after a high court injunction on Wednesday.

Read: Aer Lingus is suing SIPTU >

Previously: High Court halts airport strikes by granting injunction to DAA>