Taoiseach welcomes resolution of Irish Ferries dispute

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has welcomed the resolution of the Irish Ferries dispute during talks that went on into the early hours of this morning.

Speaking in the Dáil this morning, Mr Ahern said he "pleased" that the two sides had reached agreement on the company's controversial outsourcing plans.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also praised the work of the Labour Relations Commission in bringing about the resolution, which he said was very important to the Irish economy.

The Irish Exporters Association and the Irish Road Haulage Association, meanwhile, said today that they were glad the stand-off had come to an end.

Both groups said the dispute, which left ferries stranded for almost three weeks, had caused huge disruption to their members and had damaged Ireland's reputation as an exporting nation.