Irish Ferries sailings resume today

Irish Ferries sailings resume today following SIPTU's decision to call off a 10-day-old strike at the company.

The union made the decision after management accepted proposals for fresh talks put forward by the National Implementation Body yesterday.

The NIB urged both sides to attend talks at the Labour Relations Commission; talks which will discuss all viable options for the future of the Rosslare-Cherbourg route.

SIPTU members at Irish Ferries had been on strike since Monday of last week in protest at the company's plans to "outsource" jobs on the route in an effort to cut costs.

Speaking about the latest developments, SIPTU's Paul Smith said: "We're now satisfied that we can put forward proposals which will ensure the viability of the French service.

"We believe we could have done it without this dispute and we're now delighted that we have the opportunity to do it with all our people back working."

Don Hall of Irish Ferries, meanwhile, said the company was also happy with the NIB proposals.

Services resume from 9am today.