Iarnrod Eireann management and unions expressed optimism last night that new proposals by the Labour Relations Commission would be accepted by Cork train drivers to allow ammonia trains to run to the Irish Fertilizer Industry's plant in Arklow.
The proposals differ from previous settlement terms in that they provide for each train driver to volunteer on an individual basis to run special trains of ammonia from Merino Point in Cork to Arklow.
The crews would be provided from the Inchicore and Connolly depots in Dublin, as well as Cork. The proposals specifically state that "drivers currently in dispute who are willing to return to work on a full-time basis (under protest if necessary) in order to facilitate the setting up of these special trains may volunteer".
All volunteer drivers will be paid the rates agreed in the new agreement. It now remains to be seen if the Irish Locomotive Drivers Association will allow its members to volunteer to run the trains. Even if they do not, management and Ianrod Eireann unions were hopeful last night that there would be sufficient drivers from SIPTU and the National Bus & Rail Workers Union available to ensure the reopening of the Arklow plant, which closed last Friday week.
The chief executive of the LRC, Mr Kieran Mulvey, held a series of separate talks with Iarnrod Eireann management, SIPTU and NBRU representatives in Cork yesterday.
In separate talks the Cork County Council chairman, Mr John Mulvihill, and the Cork Lord Mayor, Mr P.J. Hourican, had talks with members of the ILDA.