Irish Ferries dispute due before Labour Court today

The Labour Court is due to hold hearings today into the dispute over Irish Ferries' plans to replace its seafaring staff with cheaper labour from eastern Europe.

Talks between company management and the main union SIPTU broke down last month and the row is now threatening the future of social partnership.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has deferred a decision on whether to enter the next round of partnership talks until it receives assurances that workers will be protected from "job displacement".

Irish Ferries is allowed to replace its workers with cheaper crews from abroad because Irish labour laws do not apply on the seas.

It is planning to pay its new crews less than the minimum wage and give them less favourable working conditions than those currently in existence.

The company claims the move is necessary to protect its profitability in the face of increased competition.

Arbitrators at the Labour Court are due to hear submissions from both sides today before making recommendations in the coming days.