Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins today called on the Taoiseach to introduce legislation to break the 'cycle of exploitation' of vulnerable workers.
Mr Higgins was referring to the plan by Irish Ferries to replace its staff with cheaper labour from eastern Europe.
"Legislation needs to be introduced as a matter of urgency and then brought to Europe to break the exploitation that is now rampant in EU waters of vulnerable workers," he said.
Mr Ahern said that if there was a need for changes in legislation the 'relevant department would look into it.'
"I urge all parties involved to co-operate with the industrial relations machinery of the state because this is how this issue will be dealt with," he said.
Meanwhile, Siptu president Jack O'Connor claimed the Irish Ferries plan reflected a growing culture of greed and exploitation in the economy.
In his address to the union's biennial conference in Cork, Mr O'Connor said Siptu would not acquiesce with a "race to the bottom" strategy in employment standards by firms seeking a competitive advantage.
He warned that his union's participation in social partnership would be rendered pointless if it could not "prevent displacement of workers who are covered by employment agreements, with vulnerable people on inferior pay and conditions".
He told delegates that, on balance, partnership had been positive but that the greater share of the gains has accrued to business.
Mr O'Connor said: "There is a certain logic in the view that if we cannot prevent displacement within an agreement it is unlikely we will succeed outside. But a line has to be drawn somewhere."
He added: "Right now, I cannot assure you, with any degree of confidence, that talks on a new national agreement can result in tangible measures to prevent displacement, curb exploitation or protect employment standards."
He assured the workers in Irish Ferries that Siptu would continue to support them in every possible way.
But he said: "Scandalous and all as the treatment meted out to them has been, when you think about the way the company intends to treat the vulnerable people they intend to replace them with, it is even more scandalous."
Mr O'Connor said the key question is the attitude of the Government and whether the Taoiseach is prepared to act.
"Over the next ten years, we have the potential on this island to build the best place to be a child, an adult or an older person. Or we can descend down the shallow spiral which the high-priests of greed will ultimately lead us," he said.
