Minister Martin advises businesses to prepare business continuity plans now for any future ’flu pandemic

Micheál Martin, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Wednesday 28^th February 2007) launched "Business Continuity Planning - Responding to an Influenza Pandemic". The guide is aimed at increasing the level of awareness among Irish businesses of the need to plan for a ’flu pandemic. It contains a checklist which businesses can use to plan effectively for such a situation as well as including ten illustrative case studies across various sectors.

Minister Martin welcomed the publication of these documents and complimented all involved in their preparation. The Minister said, “If businesses in general, and small businesses in particular, are not prepared for a pandemic then there is a danger that they will lose competitiveness. I urge all business owners and managers to give serious consideration to the advice contained in the guide and to use the checklist in their business planning preparations”.

“My Department will continue to work with the development agencies and business representative organisations to ensure that we have a coherent and planned approach to managing the risks for this not improbable disruption to enterprise activity”, the Minister concluded.

The Guide will be available to all businesses in the country through the Department's website and the enterprise agency websites:

www.djei.ie

www.forfas.ie

http://www.enterprise-ireland.ie/

http://www.idaireland.com/

Ends

ETE 1709