D Thursday, November 26, 2009 METRO d20 return to Belfast TAKE THE TRAINDEER Adult Day Return fare from Dublin to Belfast costs just 20. Leave the car behind, and youll really enjoy a day in the city soaking up the festive atmosphere. Tickets available from Booking Offices and www.irishrail.ie BY ROSS McDONAGH Ibec in dramatic U-turn over wage agreement IBEC is to formally withdraw from the national pay agreement before the new year. The employers group said yesterday it will take unilateral action if no agreement with Ictu is reached by mid-December on an alternative pay agreement. The group said it still supported an agreed partnership approach to the current economic challenges, but said efforts must focus on keeping compa- nies in business and supporting jobs. The decision was taken after a meet- ing of Ibecs national council, where it reiterated its position that there should be no pay rises before 2011. The agreement reached in Septem- ber last provided for wage increases of six per cent over 21 months. But Ibec now claims the terms of the agreement were made in a radi- cally different economic context and are now utterly inappropriate. Director general Danny McCoy said it would simply be reckless to attempt to apply those terms in the current cir- cumstances, adding that the real cas- ualties of the economic downturn are the many thousands who have lost their jobs. A hamster practices on a saxophone during a new TV commercial by water firm Drench. The company was inundated after placing adverts in newspapers seeking talented hamsters for the ad Picture: PA I WANT TO BE A HAM-STAR Boi loaned 2.1bn to SMEs this year CHAIRMAN of the Bank of Ireland, Pat Molloy, said the bank loaned 2.1billion to small and medium- sized businesses in the first nine months of the year. Mr Molloy, who was addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service, said his bank is committed to supporting SMEs experiencing cash flow problems. The bank also said it will not require any more State aid according to a five-year business plan it submitted to EU authorities. It says liquidity provided by the National Asset Management Agency will have a positive impact on the banks ability to lend, therefore supporting the economy. President: Dont risk drink-driving PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has launched the festive campaign for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and warned motorists to avoid bad choices. No-one has to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs, It is a personal choice, selfish, dangerous and inexcusable, said the President. RSA chairman Gay Byrne said: Injuries can include life-long disablement with severe damage to the brain, spinal cord and other vital parts of the body. Additionally, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy warned: Our message is simple, if you break the law, there is every likelihood you will be caught. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html