Irish Ferries is offering voluntary severance package to its 543 seafaring employees on its Irish Sea services between Dublin/Holyhead and Rosslare/Pembroke. These offers of voluntary severance for those who wish to leave the company are supported by packages to compensate staff who choose to continue in employment on the ships for any changes in work practices required of them. The decision results from Irish Ferries’ inability to continue its operations at its current high cost base in the face of low cost shipping competition and increased capacity from low fares airlines. In 2002, the company indicated to staff and unions that its costs position was untenable.