Union concerned over bank jobs

Unite, the union which represents workers at Bank of Scotland (Ireland), has called on the bank's parent company to clarify the company's plans for its Irish operations.

The union says that it is "concerned" for the future of 1,700 workers at Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and its retail division, Halifax, following the announcement this week of 5,000 job losses in Britain.

Bank of Scotland (Ireland) is owned by British banking group Lloyd's, and operates 46 retail branches in Ireland under the Halifax brand.

There has been much speculation of the future of the bank's Irish operations this year. In June the company announced that it was conducting a "strategic review" of the bank's Irish division. In August the bank said that it was postponing that review pending a ruling by the European Commission on Lloyd's following an injection of billions of pounds in state aid to the bank.

Unite's Jimmy Kelly said the recent job losses in Britain had prompted the union to reiterate its call for information from Lloyd's. "We need to know what the bank's intentions are for Ireland and whether they are to stay in Ireland. Workers are depending on rumours, and second-hand information. We want facts and serious, first-hand engagement. We are calling for Bank of Scotland Ireland to state clearly that it is fully committed to its Irish operation and will provide the necessary funding for the bank to develop and to grow in Ireland."

The union also said today that it supports the participation of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) in the proposed "third banking force" which is being explored by the Government. Bank of Scotland (Ireland) has already signalled its willingness to participate in any proposed merger between the country's smaller banks.