Monday, 1st March 2004

INDUSTRIAL UNREST DAMAGING IRISH BUSINESS AND IRISH IMAGE

The outgoing President of the Irish Hotels Federation today outlined his concern about the negative impact recent strikes and industrial disputes in Ireland were placing on the image of the country abroad and on the stability of essential services for both citizens and businesses in Ireland. Mr Jim Murphy who was addressing over 400 delegates at the Irish Hotels Federation’s annual conference in Killarney stated that it was worrying that a small proportion of Ireland’s entire workforce could seem to hold the country to ransom and halt the provision of essential services.

Mr Murphy called on those involved to embrace change and to desist from placing barriers in the way of providing efficient and reliable services that will ultimately damage Irish commerce.

“You do have to wonder who is running the country. We have a situation with postal workers operating in an organisation that is making huge losses and needs vital reform; rail workers who refuse to participate in management talks and air service workers who threaten and carry out strike actions, all because they are disgruntled and fundamentally against change. They don’t seem to see the bigger picture, namely that change and reform is needed in the best interests of the nation, the taxpayer and the country’s continued economic success,” said Mr Murphy. “It is very disappointing that the actions of a few can have such a negative impact on the vast majority of Irish industry whose employees do not have the luxury of Government guaranteed employment.”

Mr Murphy concluded that as these disputes are gaining prominence during Ireland’s hosting of the European Presidency, the messages being conveyed abroad have done no favours to Ireland’s image as a successful, thriving and welcoming country.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Siobhan Molloy/Niamh Boylan Tel: (01) 676 01 68
Weber Shandwick FCC (086) 817 50 66 or (086) 3809191