Ryanair has taken a High Court challenge to the findings of two Government-appointed inspectors regarding the baggage handlers' dispute which closed Dublin Airport for two days in March 1998.
One of those inspectors, Mr Philip Flynn, told the court the attitude of Ryanair to the inquiry was such that, at one point, the inspectors believed they would not be able to conclude their work.
Mr Flynn, a former president of ICTU, and Mr Dan McAuley, a former director general of the Federated Union of Employers, had been appointed by the Tanaiste to conduct the inquiry.
Opening the case yesterday, Mr Bill Shipsey SC, for Ryanair, told Mr Justice Kearns the inquiry was ordered at the height of an industrial dispute which closed Dublin Airport for the first time in its history. The Irish Productivity Centre was commissioned to examine pay and conditions between Ryanair and certain other enterprises carrying out similar baggage-handling operations and report to the inspectors.
Ryanair is seeking a declaration that Mr McAuley and Mr Flynn exceeded their powers in relation to parts of the report they submitted to the Minister and failed to apply the rules of natural and constitutional justice - claims rejected by Mr McAuley and Mr Flynn.
Mr Shipsey said Ryanair had not negotiated with employees through trade unions.
A number of baggage handlers - representing about 3 per cent of the workforce - expressed a desire to be represented by SIPTU, which entered into discussions with Ryanair and claimed the pay and conditions of its baggage handlers were less favourable than those of Servisair and Aer Lingus.
Mr Shipsey said this was hotly contested by Ryanair.
Ryanair believed it was part of a larger agenda by SIPTU to secure recognition within the company. Ryanair decided to withdraw air passes to staff and as a result the dispute escalated.
The case continues.