Controllers' Dispute Still 'Up In The Air'

There's as yet little sign that an industrial dispute involving air traffic controllers - which disrupted the travel plans of 20,000 people yesterday - is about to be grounded.

In fact, union leaders are to decide today whether to escalate the dispute further with Impact spokesman Niall Shanahan telling the Irish Times that members of the union would be meeting in Roscrea, Co Tipperary to discuss the situation.

"It is highly unlikely another stoppage will take place today," he said, adding "our priority is to get suspended members re-instated".

Mr Shanahan said yesterday's stoppage was a result of a decision by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) not to re-instate suspended air traffic controllers. He added that progression of the issue to the Labour Court was now "a matter of urgency".

Airline services have returned to normal last night following the stoppage which grounded flights at all the State's main airports for several hours - but look likely to again be kept on the tarmac.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said it was "very disappointed" with the response of air traffic controllers following their union meeting yesterday, and that it regretted the potential for "ongoing uncertainty and disruption".

The IAA called on controllers and Impact to return to normal work so that discussions can take place.

The Government strongly criticised the industrial action by 300 air controllers, which caused the cancellation of well over 100 flights.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey urged both sides in the air traffic controllers' dispute to go back to the Labour Court to resolve their differences.

(BMcc/GK)