17 July 2007

Resolutions Passed at the Annual General Court

All of the resolutions proposed at the Annual General Court of the Company held on 17 July 2007 were duly passed.

The full text of each resolution was set out in the Governor's Letter to holders of Ordinary Stock and Notice of the Annual General Court which was posted to stockholders on 19 June 2007.

Copies of these resolutions have been forwarded to the Irish Stock Exchange and the UK Listing Authority at the following locations, where they can be obtained:

The Irish Stock Exchange, 28 Anglesea Street, Dublin 2

Document Viewing Facility, The Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HS

17 July 2007

For further Information contact:

John Clifford Group Secretary

Tel: + 353 1 6043400