RESS RELEASE

Immediate – 1^st February 2007

Exporters Call for Dublin Port Workers to Step Back From The Brink


The Irish Exporters Association today, 1^st February 2007, stated that the industrial dispute at Dublin Port, if it proceeds to a full Port closure, will have a significant impact on manufacturing company exports.

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, stated that:

“Dublin Port accounts for €30 billion of manufactured goods exports each year. Many exporters have invested in secure, time-definite supply chains, based on access through Dublin Port.

Because of the extended nature of international trade with cross feeding of

components between factory units dispersed globally, any disruption can cause immediate loss of business”.

He went on to say that:

“Many exporters have advised that, because of the complex, interrelated network involving the movement of their goods, failure to meet deadlines can result in permanent loss of business”

He further stated that:

“Exporters are advising us that they cannot risk a potentially extended strike in Dublin Port and are looking at alternative options, through other Ports. They are further saying that if they have to move away from Dublin Port they will not be returning”.

In conclusion, the IEA states that:

“Workers in Dublin Port, and their Union Managers, must face up to the consequences of severely damaging the excellent reputation that they, and the Port Management, have built up over the past decade, if an all out strike is implemented”.

Manufacturing exporters cannot have their supply chains compromised in the increasingly competitive international trade market, in which we now operate”.

All parties to the dispute are requested to fully utilise the industrial relations procedures available to them, including the partnership facilitation. We cannot afford, as an exporting nation, to revert to the bad old strike- ridden days of the 1970s.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

John Whelan: 01 642 4170 / 087 9271243