The Taoiseach was today asked in the Dáil today about alleged "exploitation" of workers employed by Irish Ferries.
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore asked Mr Ahern to comment on reports that Irish Ferries is paying workers €4 per hour on its new €50 million vessel launched last week.
"Where does that leave the national minimum wage? Where does that leave the enforcement of employee rights?" Mr Gilmore asked.
He said it was surely "scandalous" that any worker in this country would be paid "that appallingly low level of pay".
The Taoiseach said he believes employment legislation proposed by the Government will offer greater protection for workers.
Mr Ahern said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin was working on the Employment Law Compliance Bill, which was a "very good" Bill.
The Taoiseach said it would put in place good protection for workers and would make "very good employment law". He would personally like to see it enacted during the year.
Mr Ahern said he was not familiar with the situation now at Irish Ferries.
He added: "Our companies and people working for them, regardless of nationality, are entitled to the minimum wage. . . . The Irish statutory position is very clear: any employee of any of our companies should be paid the national minimum wage."
Mr Gilmore said: "By any standard, €4 per hour is just out of court. It's exploitation in anybody's language."
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) claimed that workers aboard the Oscar Wildeferry were being paid €4 per hour, some €4.65 per hour below the statutory minimum wage.
However, Irish Ferries dismissed the claims as "mischief-making".
Director Tony Kelly said last week that workers signed up for new contracts because they were happy with the terms. He said many of those who work for the contract company come from Eastern Europe and do not live in Ireland.