Over 1,100 passengers have been allowed to disembark from an Irish Ferries vessel at Cherbourg in France after protests this morning delayed its docking.
The MV Normandywas due to dock at 10.30am.
However, Irish Ferries said it was prevented from docking by group of around 50 French seafarers.
The MV Normandyhas been the subject of several protests aimed at Irish Ferries' recent decision to contract out all jobs on the ship through an international shipping employment agency.
Unions, including Siptu, claim the non-Irish staff on the vessel are being paid very low rates and that they do not enjoy the same terms and conditions as other Irish Ferries staff.
However, Irish Ferries has consistently defended its decision to outsource work on the Normandy, claiming it is the only way the company can maintain competitiveness on the France route.