Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I have received many reports from former work colleagues regarding the officers stranded on board the two vessels. They have had the highest praise for the professionalism and competence of the officers, who have dedicated themselves to what is often a tough and difficult job with long stretches away from home and family. They do not deserve to be treated with such thuggery and contempt by their employers.

Irish Ferries officials entered the Isle of Inisfree with a gang of so-called security personnel, allegedly from a north County Dublin firm, and gave no warning to the captain of the ship, who is ultimately responsible for the security and safety of everyone on board. Some years after the events of 11 September 2001, and just a few months after a major security disaster in London, can one believe that they would act in such an illegal and outrageous manner — in an almost terrorist-type manner?

I have received allegations from family and close friends of the workers, and from many of our SIPTU and International Transport Federation colleagues on board the Isle of Inisfree, that they saw metal bars and crowbars in the luggage of the so-called "security personnel" that were brought on board. For this reason, I contacted the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, early on Friday on behalf of the workers and asked him to request the Irish ambassador to the United Kingdom, DaithíÓ Ceallaigh, to travel immediately to Pembroke to try to ensure the safety of our citizen workers on the vessels. I have also contacted the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Chief Superintendent Noel White at Harcourt Square regarding what I believe were criminal actions on the part of the management of Irish Ferries. What are the results of this investigation?

We have read reports in the Irish Independent and the Sunday Independent about even more outrageous plans involving the use of tear gas, which plans have been referred to earlier today. The managing director of Irish Ferries, Mr. Eamon Rothwell, wrote in the Irish Independent this morning about so-called black propaganda that is being issued against his company. However, his article is a tissue of disingenuous and even blacker propaganda. Almost every point therein is a direct contravention of the truth. He states that independent examination of the company's books by Farrell Grant Sparks, the consultants nominated by SIPTU, verified the kinds of outrageous cutbacks he wanted to implement. The exact opposite is the case. The report stated that the existing agreement should have extended to 2007.

Mr. Rothwell also refers to crews from eastern Europe receiving pay in real terms that is "30% higher than on-land Irish minimum wages". This is a complete joke given that workers are working in virtually slave-ship conditions, with four months on and so-called four months off. Mr. Rothwell refers to his company, Irish Ferries, standing on its own two feet. What about the €3 million in tonnage tax that this State gave to the company to sustain it? What about the PRSI concessions given to his company? Has the Minister not got a duty to tell us this evening what will happen to the significant subventions the State gives Irish Ferries on an ongoing basis?

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