Irish Ferries to lay off 170 more workers as Martin refuses to intervene

MANAGEMENT at Irish Ferries expect to have laid off almost 500 staff by close of business today as the increasingly bitter dispute at the company intensifies.

However, despite the serious implications for trade and exports, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin yesterday refused to intervene.

Responding to opposition pressure to intervene yesterday, Mr Martin conceded the dispute was damaging to the Irish economy but said it would be inappropriate for him to intervene at this stage.