Last-gasp ferry talks bid to break impasse

LAST-DITCH efforts to find a resolution to the Irish Ferries dispute continued at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) last night despite little sign of a breakthrough.

After three days of LRC talks on a package of possibilities suggested by the National Implementation Body on Sunday night, both sides remain deadlocked on the Irish Ferries plan to circumvent Irish labour law by registering its vessels in Cyprus.

SIPTU marine branch official Paul Smyth indicated yesterday that the union was hopeful, but not optimistic, about reaching an agreement.