Unions and management were told yesterday about the difficult trading environment currently facing the Great Southern Hotels chain.
At a meeting in Dublin, unions and management heard details of the Farrell Grant Sparks review of the group. It is understood the review expresses concern about a fall-off in business at some of the hotels.
A statement issued afterwards said the meeting discussed "the present difficult trading environment for the hotel industry generally and the challenges facing Great Southern Hotels in particular".
The meeting was attended by the chief executive of the hotel group, Mr Eamon McKeon, and Mr Jack O'Connor, president of SIPTU.
Farrell Grant Sparks gave a confidential presentation on its strategic review of the group, commissioned by the parent company, Aer Rianta.
"Concern was expressed about continuing and damaging media speculation on the possible sale of the hotels as a result of the Government decision to restructure Aer Rianta," said the statement.
Most media reports have suggested the hotel chain will be allocated to a new Dublin Airport authority under a restructuring of the Aer Rianta group.
Management outlined the steps being taken to improve profitability, and the parties agreed they would consider the implications of the Farrell Grant Sparks review once the proposed future direction of the company was known.
Mr O'Connor confirmed that the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, had agreed to meet a SIPTU delegation to discuss the current and future position of the hotels. The parties agreed there would be no further comment about the meeting.
