A decision on whether the Irish Fertilizer Industries plant in Arklow should reopen may be taken later today. Iarnrod Eireann was hopeful last night that it would be able to meet the minimum requirement of two ammonia trains a day for the IFI factory within the next 48 hours.
The executive council of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland is meeting today and the train dispute is on its agenda. The CCI has been considering legal action by members against the Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association over losses suffered as a result of the dispute.
Only one train ran to Arklow yesterday and one train on Tuesday. IFI needs a firm commitment of two trains every 24 hours before it can reopen the plant and bring back the 200 workers laid off almost two weeks ago.
IFI has also been examining other options such as shipping in supplies through Arklow port, though it is unlikely to do anything to exacerbate the industrial relations situation. A spokesman for the company said last night it would be cautious on resuming production without very firm commitments from Iarnrod Eireann about deliveries because of the continuous nature of the process.
The worst scenario would be to call workers back only to have to lay them off again after a few days, the spokesman said. Nevertheless the company is to meet today to review the situation and may take a decision on reopening. Alternatively, it may defer a decision until tomorrow if Iarnrod Eireann cannot give sufficient guarantees.
It had been hoped that the ILDA members would participate on a voluntary basis in operating special ammonia trains from Cork to Arklow. But the association ruled this out on Tuesday after the Labour Relations Commission had drawn up proposals endorsed by the company, SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union. The company believes sufficient SIPTU and NBRU members will come forward to make two trains a day to IFI feasible.
Behind-the-scenes moves were taking place yesterday to find some new formula to resolve the main dispute between Iarnrod Eireann and the ILDA, but no developments are expected before next week at the earliest.
An improved service is expected on the Kildare Arrow route today. Other routes are expected to operate at a similar level to yesterday, with the Dublin-Westport route suffering the greatest disruption.