IRISH Ferries has been accused of having a "hidden agenda" in the cancellation of its winter service from Rosslare to France, a move which will result in 200 staff being laid off from November until June.
At a protest meeting in Rosslare Harbour yesterday, the chairman of the Irish Ferries Workers' Action Committee, Mr John Brown, said the company's ultimate intention was to replace existing employees with cheap foreign labour. "Many crew members will be obliged to take up other employment during the lay off period, making way for new workers on reduced wages and conditions.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Ms Avril Doyle, who rejected a claim by Irish Ferries that the lack of Government subsidy had contributed to its decision to close down the service for seven months.
"Whatever the agenda, it's not subsidisation," she said. "Irish Ferries have never pursued the Irish Government for a subsidy. They are afraid of subsidies because they would, lose full control of the company.
She urged the ferry company to hold off its decision until next year so that the recommendations of two major documents on shipping policy in the EU - the Kinnock Shipping Strategy and the European Commissioners Report - could be considered.
"I respect private sector thinking," Ms Doyle said. "But I am pleading with Irish Ferries to let us know what the real agenda is." She said the cancellation of the company's winter sailings would have a devastating effect on the local economy, and lead indirectly to additional job losses.
The Workers' Action Committee has enlisted the help of local politicians to fight the proposal. "This is not a political issue. All of the Oireachtas members are at one on the need to save these jobs," Ms Doyle said.