STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTER FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE & EMPLOYMENT MICHEAL MARTIN TD IN RELATION TO GAMA

APRIL 13TH 2005

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin TD has this morning (Wednesday, 13 April 2005) been in contact with the Dutch based bank Finansbank, in relation to accounts held there by GAMA workers. The Bank has informed Minister Martin that funds are available and that the workers will get all monies in their accounts. The Bank has said that it has already received instructions from GAMA on behalf of 660 employees in relation to accessing their accounts and money. The Bank has said that 281 of these instructions have been complied with and they estimate that the remainder will be completed by the close of business this evening.

Finansbank has agreed to put in place a process with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to allow the remaining workers access their accounts.

Minister Martin will be meeting with the GAMA workers this evening and will bring them up to date on developments.

ENDS

ETE 1343