The IEA, the group that represents all Irish exporters, said that today’s disruption of public services will send out the wrong message to international investors that Ireland is not ready to take measures necessary to enable recovery from the recession.

Employees in exporting companies have had to adjust rapidly to the decline in export markets, extensive exchange rate losses, and high services costs in Ireland, by taking reductions in their wage costs, reductions in overtime, and abandoning bonuses.

Over 50% of all public sector jobs are dependent on export industry, and today’s action will not help in any way to secure any more exports or secure the tax income necessary to support future public sector jobs, salaries or pensions.

John Whelan, Chief Executive of the IEA, stated:

“There is potential for Ireland to exploit global opportunities, but we cannot assume success. The key to success will be harnessing the engagement of all the stakeholders in the export industry and ensuring the public sector provides the infrastructure to support the export initiatives and not hinder them with strike action. Other countries are grappling with the imperative to become competitive and sell more of their goods and services. To succeed we will need to re adjust our costs relative to our foreign competitors, if we are to thrive again on the back of export growth.

This will require discipline across both public and private sector, and an acceptance that we are now paying ourselves above our income level. Ireland is a small country, it is not possible for government employees to be isolated from the general economic downturn.

Finally, let me appeal to all public sector employees not to do any further damage to the economy and to the efforts of exporters, by taking part in any further strike action.”

END

For further information:

Contact: John Whelan

CEO Irish Exporters Association

01-6612182

087 9271243