Tánaiste Expresses Surprise at Rail Workers Decision

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney, has this evening (Friday 14 July 2000) expressed her surprise at the outcome of the meeting of Iaranrod Eireann train drivers which has dashed hopes of a restoration of rail services to the IFI plant in Arklow.

The Tánaiste said "This dispute is causing severe difficulties for IFI and for some 200 workers at the Arklow plant who are being unfairly penalised for a disagreement not of their making. I had hoped that common sense would prevail and that some arrangement could be reached to restore supplies to the plant. Unfortunately, this has not been possible."

"I would call for an urgent rethink by those involved with a view to an early resolution and so that services can get back to normal as quickly as possible.