Pay controversy taints Oscar Wilde launch

IRISH FERRIES formally named its new €50 million ferry, Oscar Wilde, in Dublin Port yesterday as the company again faced criticism about pay and conditions for staff working on its vessels.

The 31,914-tonne ship will commence operations on Irish Ferries’ scheduled sailings between Ireland and France this week.

However, yesterday’s ceremony came as a report broadcast on Newstalk 106-108FM claimed that crew members on board Oscar Wilde are being paid less than half the Irish minimum wage.