Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

It is an issue deserving of comprehensive discussion in the House, not only in terms of what we can do about the horrific situation at Irish Ferries but in regard to the question of Ireland's future as a maritime nation and what the Government has done to push forward that agenda.

The initial action by Irish Ferries unilaterally trying to change the way it is staffed is totally unacceptable. There is no moral justification whatsoever for the action it took. It was driven purely by the profit motive and it is not in the interests of business generally that companies of the size and stature of the Irish Continental Group should go forward on the basis of profit only. There is a social and a community responsibility on the part of all major companies in a country such as Ireland. It is because the people of Ireland have worked so hard in the past that the companies in Ireland are making such good profits. To take this action against its staff is unacceptable.

I am delighted Irish Ferries has finally, against the head, gone into the industrial relations machinery and, hopefully, whatever action comes at the end of the day will be agreed by all the social partners involved and, particularly, will be to the advantage of the staff of Irish Ferries.

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