Irish Ferries owner ICG opposes any renewal of Government subsidies to rivals during Covid crisis   

The company said it would continue to turn down legally questionable and 'market-distorting' subsidies, and do its bit to keep loss-making routes open regardless.

Pictured the W.B Yeats Irish Ferries Ship makes its way through stormy waves into Port at the Pool Beg Light house Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

ICG, the owner of Irish Ferries, said it was strongly opposed to the Government giving any further aid to rivals to keep Irish Sea shipping lines open during the Covid crisis, saying it would continue to turn down legally questionable and "market-distorting" subsidies, and do its bit to keep loss-making routes open regardless.    

In a trading update, ICG revealed the continuing high cost of the pandemic on its business, with revenues down €79m so far this year,  as it faces additional challenges of Brexit no matter what type of deal emerges in the coming days from the crunch EU-UK talks.