Unions downbeat about end to Irish Ferries row

UNION officials remained downbeat about the prospect of a resolution to the Irish Ferries dispute as a fresh round of talks adjourned yesterday evening.

Although a new roadmap has been suggested by Government's industrial relations troubleshooter the National Implementation Body (NIB) the main stumbling block to a resolution remains the likelihood that Irish Ferries will go ahead with plans to register its ships in Cyprus.

In an innovative effort to circumvent this problem, the NIB has recommended that Irish Ferries enter "an agreement of binding character" on workers' terms and conditions which would be maintained even if company ships are removed from the Irish register.