Deal set to break deadlock in Irish Ferries dispute

A FIRST breakthrough between management at Irish Ferries and unions is expected to be announced later today, although the future of Social Partnership remains strained over the dispute.

The Irish Examiner understands that a measure channelled through the Government's industrial relations trouble-shooting body - the National Implementation Body (NIB) - last night has been accepted in principle.

Although the NIB was last night primarily involved in discussions on An Post, those present also found time in the wings to rubber-stamp a significant breakthrough in the Irish Ferries dispute.