Workers at the naval dockyard in Haulbowline, Co Cork, have hit out at management for drip-feeding information on the potential exposure to asbestos.

More than 150 Naval Service personnel and civilian workers could have potentially come in contact with asbestos as the crisis deepens over the extent of exposure to the life-threatening substance.

It is now being claimed that 30 civilian workers could also have been exposed to potentially lethal asbestos while carrying out routine maintenance on a Naval Service ship.

SIPTU has told Aer Lingus it will have to bear any costs to the union’s members if the company’s 2008 “leave and return” scheme is found to be flawed.

UP to 60 people are to lose their jobs at an aircraft maintenance firm Aviance after attempts to transfer the workers to a new contract holder failed.

DUBLIN Airport could be hit with strike action at one of its busiest times of the year, as a dispute between a sky handler and its staff threatens to escalate.

Steve Finnan's medial knee ligament injury means he will miss Fulham's next two games, and he could be out of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifier with Switzerland.