Govt urges Irish Ferries to delay controversial restructuring proposal

THE Government has urged Irish Ferries to hold off implementing its restructuring plan until it considered a report proposing additional tax breaks for the industry.

Marine minister Pat “the Cope” Gallagher said the shipping sector’s development agency, the Irish Maritime Development Office, recently reviewed the sector’s existing State aids and considered the case for new or modified aids. That report is now with the Minister for Finance for consideration.

“This decision by Irish Ferries is, of course, a regrettable one and I am extremely disappointed that the company felt the need to resort to such extreme measures. My thoughts at this time go out to those employees and their families facing into an uncertain future,” Minister Gallagher said.