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Job Losses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2012

Thursday, 19 April 2012

Questions (77, 78)

Clare Daly

Question:

74 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if he will intervene with AIB in view of speculation regarding thousands of job losses and ensure that management engage fully with the Irish Bank Officials Association. [19637/12]

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Clare Daly

Question:

75 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the way service levels in the State owned AIB will be protected in view of the fact that thousands of bank officials are being threatened with redundancy, while already temporary workers have had to be employed to deal with the running of the bank, and the way these redundancies can possibly benefit the economy. [19638/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.

The Deputy will be aware that AIB, as part of its announcement of 8 March 2012 of a voluntary severance programme, stated "as required under the bank's partnership principles with IBOA, a consultation process will begin immediately with trade union representatives." It went on to state that "AIB will not be making any further public comment until the consultation process with staff representatives is concluded." As these discussions are continuing, with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commissions, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment directly on some of the issues raised in these questions which form part of these negotiations.

In any of my public pronouncements on the issue, I have been at pains to point out that all parties involved in this most sensitive of issues for individuals need to be treated with utmost consideration and respect and this most certainly includes the State which has contributed in excess of €20bn to the bank.

It is deeply regrettable, for all concerned, that the proposed action of shedding some 2,500 jobs has had to be taken but it is an inevitable consequence of the necessary restructuring of the banking system to render it fit to better serve personal and business customers throughout the economy. The Deputy will be aware that operational matters such as service levels being provided by the bank do not form part of my remit and, accordingly, are a matter for the bank in the first instance.

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