Harney Launches New Credit Union Website Health Services Staff Credit Union on the Net

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney launched the new website for the Health Services Staff Credit Union today (Wednesday, 4th November 1998) at their premises in High Street, Dublin.

Speaking at the launch the Tánaiste said "The credit union movement is one of the great Irish success stories. Its fundamental principles are rooted in ideas of self-help and mutual co-operation. Credit unions demonstrate what can be achieved by co-operation between people. This success is mirrored by the success of the Health Services Staff Credit Union which is one of the largest in the country."

"The development of this website is another instance of the manner in which the credit movement is adapting to the technological advances of our times," the Tánaiste said. "It will make the Health Services Staff Credit Union more readily accessible to both members and to potential members. This website will give the members access to all the services that this credit union provides. More and more organisations are connecting to the Net and benefiting from the communication opportunities it provides."

Commenting on the new website and technological advances, the Tánaiste said "The trend within the movement to introduce computer systems shows that it is prepared to adapt and change with the times and so serve its members in the best possible manner. "The introduction of a website is one of the steps to keep the movement relevant in todays world."

"As more organisations join the Internet the usefulness of the system increases and the attraction for those not yet connected becomes more compelling," the Tánaiste added. She said that she was pleased to learn that contact has been made by the Health Services Credit Union with a sister union in Clearwater in Florida also catering for the workers in the health sector there. This contact was made as a direct result of the Health Services Credit Union presence on the Internet and it is indicative of the global nature of communications across the Net.