Government Press Releases 2008
The Government today announced that laboratory results of animal feed and pork fat samples obtained this afternoon by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed the presence of dioxins.
The Public Service is of vital national interest. How well it performs and how efficiently it operates are of critical importance to the lives of every citizen and the well being of the community as a whole. A high performance Public Service is increasingly recognised as a critical ingredient in international competitiveness, as well as an essential requirement for addressing the complex social needs of modern communities.
The National Implementation Body has met with Aer Lingus management and
unions to discuss the current industrial relations issues at the company.
The Body was briefed on the ongoing constructive discussions between IMPACT and the company. The NIB was also briefed on the recent discussions between SIPTU and the company, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), and noted the imminent possibility of industrial action following the break-down of these talks.
The increase in unemployment is regrettable but unfortunately not surprising given the dramatic slowdown in the global and national economy.
The Government continues to make strenuous efforts in seeking out job opportunities and upskilling our unemployed to assist them in benefiting from the creation of new and forthcoming job opportunities.
The Government decided at their meeting yesterday to nominate the following persons for appointment by the President as judges of the District Court:
Minister Pat Carey today announced the membership of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship saying that it will act “as a broad based group which will assist and advise on how best Irish communities and our society can be strengthened in the years ahead.”
The Government have considered the position regarding medical cards for those aged 70 and over in the context of the position outlined by the Taoiseach over the weekend.
All the leaders of the European Union make clear that each of them will take whatever measures are necessary to maintain the stability of the financial system – including through liquidity support through central banks, action to deal with individual banks or enhanced depositor protection schemes. Deposits in our countries’ banks are safe and we will continue to take the necessary measures to protect both the system and individual depositors. In taking these measures, European leaders acknowledge the need for close coordination and cooperation.
Government Decision to Safeguard Irish Banking System
The Government has decided to put in place with immediate effect a guarantee arrangement to safeguard all deposits (retail, commercial, institutional and interbank), covered bonds, senior debt and dated subordinated debt (lower tier II), with the following banks: Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Irish Nationwide Building Society and the Educational Building Society and such specific subsidiaries as may be approved by Government following consultation with the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator. It has done so following advice from the Governor of the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator about the impact of the recent international market turmoil on the Irish Banking system. The guarantee is being provided at a charge to the institutions concerned and will be subject to specific terms and conditions so that the taxpayers’ interest can be protected. The guarantee will cover all existing aforementioned facilities with these institutions and any new such facilities issued from midnight on 29 September 2008, and will expire at midnight on 28 September 2010.