In 2001, the Labour Court recommended that Iarnrod Eireann/Irish Rail give each employee access to its Appeal Tribunal. The opinion, dated 25 July 2001, followed an investigation requested by the National Implementation Body into disciplinary procedures at the company after a strike from 8 to 10 May.
The Amalgamated Transport And General Workers' Union brought eight disciplinary cases, saying workers had been denied fair process and their choice of representation. The company said workers had been offered hearings and acceptable representation options.
The Court found the procedures generally conformed to the Code of Practice and that it was reasonable to deny a named employee representation as an ILDA representative. But it said denying the workers access to the Appeals Tribunal was a flaw that did not meet fairness and equity principles; an appeal to a higher manager had been available.