MV Normandy docks in Cherbourg

An Irish Ferries vessel with more than a thousand people on board has finally docked at Cherbourg.

The MV Normady was prevented from docking at the French Port by a union blockade. The members of the blockade are affiliated to the International Transport Workers' Federation.

This morning's incident was part of an on-going campaign against the recruitment of overseas workers, whom the union claim are being exploited.

SIPTU's Paul Smyth said: "An agreement was reached with Irish Ferries which established a process by which the unions would meet with the company and with independent assessors and examine all of the company's services including the Normandy,” he said.

“The French unions who are concerned about it sought access to the assessors and Irish Ferries have refused.”