Probe into claims Irish Ferries paying €4 an hour

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into complaints that workers on board Irish Ferries’ newest ship are being paid less than half the minimum wage.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil that the matter had been taken up by the National Employment Rights Authority, whose inspectors are empowered to refer breaches of workers rights to the Chief State Solicitors’ Office for prosecution.

However, Mr Ahern warned that it may not be possible to enforce Irish law where a company is registered outside of the country.