Thousands join protest marches over Irish Ferries

Tens of thousands have joined protest marches around the country over the Irish Ferries dispute and a perceived threat to employment standards in the State.

Marches began at lunchtime in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo, Athlone, Tralee and Rosslare. Despite conservative estimates from gardai on the march claiming 40,000 protestors took part, union sources placed the actual attendance between 80,000 and 100,000.

A spokesman for Ictu described the march as "a massive success".

Protests around the country were also considered successful, with the latest figures from Cork and Limerick suggesting a turnout of 20,000 in each location. Waterford was described by Ictu as having a high turnout, although there were no definite figures available yet.

The "national day of protest" was called by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu). Unions are demanding Government action to combat exploitation of migrant workers and the displacement of jobs. The protest is being supported by over 50 unions.

Part of the today's protest in Dublin

The mass demonstrations caused chaos for commuters, who have found transport services disrupted and roads closed to accommodate the marches.

In Dublin city centre, where the march began from Parnell Square, gardaí closed off sections of the city centre to motorists to allow the protest to proceed to Government buildings.

Last month, an estimated 10,000 people marched in support of Irish Ferries workers.

The Dublin protest was addressed by David Begg, general secretary of Ictu, Siptu general president Jack O'Connor and Siptu negotiator Patricia King.

At the march, union representatives urged the government to take action. Addressing the gathered crowd, Ictu president David Begg said it had been a long time since a march was applauded through the streets of Dublin as they had been today, adding that the trade union movement was here to stay.

Jack O'Connor, president of Siptu, wanted to send a message to politicians that they had had enough. "We're here to say to elected representatives wake up and live in the real world," he said.

The Irish Ferries workers are in dispute with the company over its plans to replace hundreds of Irish staff with cheap labour from eastern Europe. The company also wants to reflag its ships in Cyprus.

Unions have insisted the proposal could lead to exploitation, job displacement and a drop in

INTO placards abandoned in Merrion Square

employment standards across many industries.

Ships officers have refused to sail its three Irish Sea vessels since it sent security personnel on board two of them, disguised as passengers, a fortnight ago.

Talks at the Labour Relations Commission between Siptu and Irish Ferries adjourned early this morning without resolution. Siptu has said it was "unlikely" its representatives would be available for new talks today as they were taking part in protest marches.

Unions say causing disruption is not the objective of the demonstrations, but it is clear that public transport will be affected. Dublin Bus said it had been informed by Siptu and the NBRU that drivers would be participating in the protest.

Iarnród Éireann expected most intercity rail services to operate normally today, although three services on the Waterford-Heuston line were cancelled between 11.30am and 3pm. A spokesman for Iarnród Éireann warned there could be some delays on that route as a result.

There was also some disruption to Dart and commuter services in Dublin, but Iarnród Éireann expects evening peak services to operate as normal. The spokesman said there was a noticeable drop in passenger numbers this morning at peak times.

Some Luas services on the red line are also expected to be disrupted today, due to the traffic restrictions in place for the protests. The service between Smithfield and Connolly was out of operation from 12.05 to 3pm. However, services between Tallaght and Smithfield and those on the green line were expected to operate normally during this time.

Bus Éireann had hoped any disruption would be confined "to the middle of the day". A Garda spokesman said the protests were not expected to cause major disruption to traffic. A scarcity of taxis is also possible.