Irish Ferries has cancelled the introduction of its fast ferry the Jonathan Swift because of unofficial industrial action by ship's officers. The service was due to begin with the departure of the ship from Dublin at 5.45 a.m. today, en route for Holyhead.
The action by ship's officers, who are members of SIPTU, is in pursuit of improved staffing levels. A spokesman for Irish Ferries said that the staffing levels had been based on a Labour Court recommendation that accepted the ship must operate "on a cost base in line with competitors".
He warned that the action could jeopardise the introduction of the service and put at risk the 140 new jobs involved. No comment was available last night from SIPTU.