D Wednesday, January 27, 2010 News 13 Irish have lowest trust in business and government IRELAND is one of the least trust- ing countries in the world. The Edelman Trust Barometer, launched yesterday, found the Irish public trusts its government and businesses less than any of the 22 countries surveyed. Just 31 per cent of Irish people trusts businesses, down from 38 per cent last year. The current glo- bal average is 50 per cent. While 49 per cent of respondent countries trust their government, trust levels in Ireland plummeted to an all-time low of 28 per cent, down from 31 per cent last year. Ireland was the only country to experience a decline in trust across all four institutions: busi- ness, government, media and NGOs. Ireland is experiencing a trust crisis which is different to the experience in other countries, said Mark Cahalane, managing director of Edelman. Our scepticism is deep-rooted and pervasive. While other coun- tries are beginning to see increas- ing levels of institutional trust as their economies creep out of reces- sion, we in Ireland have lost confi- dence in more institutions than ever before. Since 2007, trust in banks has de- clined dramatically in most west- ern countries. It declined from 68 per cent in the US to 29 per cent and dropped 16 per cent in Ireland from 39 per cent in 2007 to 23 per cent this year. Trust in banks was only lower in two other countries, the UK at 21 per cent and Germany at 17 per cent. Respondents were also asked about what short-term actions could potentially restore confidence in business. Some 60 per cent in Ireland suggested firing non-per- forming management; 66 per cent said that pay discrepancies between senior executives and average em- ployees should be reduced; while 57 per cent said that bailout money from Government should be re- paid. By Ross McDonagh 98FMs Siobhn OConnor and Baz Ashmawy help launch Eurotrip, a competition offering two thrill-seeking adventurers a once-in-a- lifetime trip around Europe. Visit: www. talktoeu.ie/ eurotrip to get involved Picture: Marc OSullivan Put yourself on the map Anti-terror cops or Police Academy? WHO hits back at swine flu claims THE World Health Organisation has hit back at critics who claim swine flu was a fake pandemic created for the benefit of drug companies. WHO said the outbreak of a new strain of H1N1 in North America last year had all the scientific characteristics of a pandemic. And it insisted it was never improperly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, which benefited from huge government orders for vaccines and anti-viral drugs. According to a WHO tally dated January 17, more than 209 countries have reported laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu, including at least 14,142 deaths. The world is going through a real pandemic. The description of it as fake is wrong and irresponsible, said a WHO statement. TWO childrens TV presenters were held by police under anti-terrorism laws for carrying glittery hairdryers. Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers, stars of ITV1s Toonattik, were filming a skit for the show wearing combat gear and armed with childrens walkie-talkies and hairdryers. But the duos wacky antics aroused the suspicions of police patrolling Londons South Bank. We were kitted out in fake utility belts, bullet-proof flak jackets, hairdryers in our belt, and a kids cheap walkie-talkie, said Williamson. We got pulled over by four policemen who issued us with a warning under the act of terrorism. We even had a camera crew and a boom mic, the 28-year-old said. The Green RoomBy Neil Sean Celebrities behind closed doors Nicola from Girls Aloud is getting a bit too used to the high life at Londons Mayfair Hotel. When I go home I am like, How do I use this or do that? They totally spoil me there. Its a dream place, she admitted. Lady Gaga says her legs are blue with bruises because her backing dancers give her a rough time on stage. They are tough with their hands if you get my drift, she said. Dancing On Ice celebrity Heather Mills says she was so convinced she would be the first to get the boot she packed up her gear. I cried with happiness when I was not, she whimpered. SuBo denies she is planning to slim down. This is who I am. But if I lost weight because I rush around now all the time, great! she admitted. X Factor finalist Stacey is not exactly being swamped by showbiz offers. Just panto so far, she huffed. Expect something extravagant when David Walliams gets hitched. I dont want a quiet wedding. Lets make it something to remember. 11 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html