The labour inspectorate of my Department has general responsibility for the enforcement of compliance with employment rights legislation in this jurisdiction. The inspectorate investigates specific complaints of infringement of those rights in respect of any employee, irrespective of nationality, including employees engaged on an Irish registered vessel.
With regard to the company concerned in this particular case, it is my understanding that an agreed joint statement was issued from Irish Ferries and SIPTU on June 16 2005, stating that the parties have agreed to appoint assessors to conduct a comprehensive review of operations encompassing the Irish Sea and continental corridors.