September 2008: BITCI member Intel wins Overall Outstanding Achievement in CSR

Intel Ireland Awarded Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Accolade

Call for Business to Sustain CSR Activities in a Time of Uncertainty

Intel Ireland has won the Overall Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Responsible Employers Award at Chambers Ireland's President's Awards for CSR, which were held in Dublin last night (25/09/08). The judging panel selected Intel Ireland after a competitive short-listing process for the sustained excellence of their CSR programmes. Intel has been an industry leader in CSR for many years and this award further validates their commitment. The fifth annual awards were partnered by Business in the Community Ireland, run in association with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and kindly sponsored by resource. Each winner was presented with a specially commissioned trophy designed by Waterford Crystal. Speaking at the event, David Pierce, Chambers Ireland President said, “These awards celebrate the contributions that Irish businesses make for betterment of society. Noting the changed Global economy he said “Now more than ever we need to redouble our commitments to the common good...We know that financial success is vitally important for every business; however the case studies and actions highlighted here show the value of an active CSR programme.” Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, John Curran T.D. said, “My Department is proud to be a supporter of these awards. Socially responsible businesses enhance the civic environment in which they operate. By applying the qualities that deliver commercial success to social, environmental and other challenges, business can create new market opportunities while contributing to sustainable economic development. These principles also reflect my Department's objectives of promoting and supporting the sustainable and inclusive development of communities. I would like to congratulate all the organisations involved in this year's awards.” According to Terence Brannigan, Chief Executive of resource, “I would like to offer my congratulations to all the winners of these awards. CSR can have meaningful impact both on communities and on a company's bottom line and smart businesses are increasingly discovering this. In building our own company, we have placed a strategic importance on CSR. To do this we must be a part of the community - not apart from it. That means supporting our staff by measurably improving the life and environment within their communities.” Tina Roche, Chief Executive of Business in the Community Ireland added, “I would also like extend my congratulations to all of the companies who won awards this evening and hope they inspire and encourage others to develop sustainable and responsible business practices. CSR is not about ad hoc programmes but about how a company does business and these award winners prove that being responsible makes good business sense”. Other awards presented on the night: Most Innovative CSR Project and Best Marketplace Supplier Programme by a Multinational Corporation IBM for its ‘Air-Filled Void Filler Process' and its innovation in reducing the level of cost to the consumer, the environment and the company. Best Marketplace Customer Programme by a Large Indigenous Company Hibernian Health for its health education programme and awareness raising initiatives through its partnerships with Barnardos, The Marie Keating Foundation and the Royal College of Surgeons. Best Marketplace Customer Programme by a Multinational Corporation Danone Ireland for its continued commitment to community engagement with Barnardos Ireland through its ‘Big Toddle for Barnardos'. Good Neighbour Award - SME Dublin Port Company for its sustained contribution to the local community through the ‘Community Scholarship Programme' Good Neighbour Award - Large Indigenous Company Irish Life & Permanent for its contribution to the local community through ‘Maximising Community Involvement through Partnership Programme' Good Neighbour Award - Multinational Corporation White Young Green for its commitment to encouraging staff volunteering within its local communities in Dublin, Cork, Wexford, Limerick and Belfast through its ‘Community Engagement Initiative'. Responsible Employer Award - SME Clontarf Castle Hotel for its disability awareness programme and for tackling discrimination both within and outside the workplace. Responsible Employer Award - Large Indigenous Company AIB Group for its commitment to promotion of positive health measures in the workplace, through its ‘Well Being Programme' Supporting Employee Volunteering Award - Large Indigenous Company Ulster Bank for its ‘Community Cashback Awards' which encourages employees to get involved in community projects. Supporting Employee Volunteering Award - Multinational Corporation Abbott Vascular for its commitment to working in partnership with local communities, through its ‘Croí an Óir Programme'. Eco- Business Award - SME Castleknock Hotel & Country Club for its commitment to minimising the environmental footprint of its business activities, through its ‘Carbon Neutral Project' Eco-Business Award - Large Indigenous Company C&C Group for the all encompassing nature of its ‘Bulmer's, Leading the way in Sustainability Programme' and for minimising its impact on the environment through engagement with its local community. Eco-Business Award - Multinational Corporation Unilever Ireland for its ‘Making Unilever Ireland a Greener Place to Work Initiative' and for reducing its environmental footprint through the management of carbon emissions. Special Award: Literacy Related Programmes An Post for the' An Post Education Awards' and its partnership with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). Special Award: Overseas Programme - SME Whelan Corcoran Smith for providing architectural designs and plans for feeding centres, crèche facilities, clinics and orphan housing in South Africa and Lesotho. Special Award: Overseas Programme - Large Indigenous Company Tullow Oil for their commitment to the Kaiso-Tonya region in Uganda, through initiatives which are beneficial to the local community. For further information, please contact: Moira Horgan Marketing Manager Business in the Community Ireland Tel: 086 172 2105 / 01 874 7232 Email: mhorgan@bitc.ie