Gallagher to raise ferry dispute at EU talks

MARINE MINISTER Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher is to raise the prospect of a new European Ferries Directive with his EU counterparts next week as the crisis at Irish Ferries continues.

The standoff dominated the political agenda yesterday, as the Dáil adjourned to facilitate a rare emergency debate for the first time in almost five years.

During the debate, Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin said there was nothing the Government could do to prevent Irish Ferries re-flagging its ships abroad to evade Irish labour law.

However, Mr Martin said the issue had been raised informally at European level by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, while Mr Gallagher said he would "be supportive of getting a new EU directive on the agenda".

"I will be taking the issue up with the UK and French ministers as early as next week," said Mr Gallagher.

Earlier, as management withdrew security men from two stranded vessels in Wales, SIPTU official Paul Smyth called for Mr Gallagher to retable the European Ferries Directive at the next plenary meeting of EU Transport Ministers, scheduled for next Monday.

However, despite the removal of the security presence, SIPTU declined to accept a company invitation for a "reciprocal goodwill" gesture, saying barricaded members would not budge as long as they were denied access to their union representatives.

Mr Smyth criticised the lack of Government action.

"It is appalling that no Government official has taken any action so far in relation to the Irish Ferries dispute and has failed to send a single representative to visit the crew members aboard the ships," he said.

Meanwhile, as SIPTU held a meeting to address jobs displacement concerns in the construction sector yesterday, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) agreed to support a day of national protest next Friday.

Although the focus is expected to be on a march in Dublin, the possibility of countrywide marches is also being considered.

ICTU general secretary David Begg said he did not accept Government claims that nothing could be done.

"In the past, we have seen the Dáil recalled and legislation passed to deal with matters deemed to be of national concern.

"We're calling on all members of the public trade union members and non-members alike to join our protest. This is a matter of serious public concern it could determine what sort of society we are creating for our children," he added.

However, businesses and exporters yesterday welcomed the Irish Ferries goodwill move.

IBEC director Brendan McGinty said no "right-minded person" wanted to see officers barricade themselves behind ship doors.

Irish Exporters Association's chief executive John Whelan also welcomed the move, saying it was a step in the right direction.

However, despite two days of efforts by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), a breakthrough remains elusive.