From our Friends AT CIC

STATEMENT FROM CIC IN RELATION TO QBRC BID SUCCESS PLUS CONCERNS FOR FUTURE OF GLASS.

On behalf of all the people who contacted us today and all those who have taken a stand for justice for our communities, in regard to the wonderful news that QBRC will finally be in control of the CIS Division of the former Quinn Group by the end of the month, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations and sincere appreciation to John McCartin, John Bosco O'Hagan, Ernie Fisher and also Liam, Kevin, Daire, Denis and all the former Management Team. Those involved in making this win win decision must also be complimented.

Whilst there is relief and delight at today's news, dozens of Glass employees have also contacted us tonight wishing to express their fear about the future of their jobs and the belief that the Glass company must be sold to a bidder who has the best interests of the Border Region and its people to the fore and who will work hand in hand with QBRC to achieve the best results for the companies, for the lenders and for the entire community.

It is our understanding that QBRC are prevented from bidding for the Glass business but it is reassuring to know that the non executive team of QBRC (John, John Bosco and Ernie) will be in a position to have a say when it comes to deciding who buys Glass and to ensure that local bids will not be excluded.

There are still huge concerns that an outsider who has no real interest in the border region or its people may purchase Glass and while John McCartin who has played a pivotal role in the negotiations and has worked tirelessly to achieve an amicable and acceptable resolution to this fiasco, along with John Bosco and Ernie will engage with Encirc (Quinn Glass) in the disposal process to ensure the best outcome for the business and the region, it is crucial that we do not leave it all up to them and the other members of QBRC. These are our jobs, our future and it is up to each and every one of us to ensure that we get a satisfactory result in relation to Glass, and that peace and prosperity can be restored in our community once again.

On a day when there is hope at last for our communities, we do not want to be derogatory but it must be said that the people who were appointed to run the Hospitality (despite massage of figures in details provided to National media re. Slieve Russell), Manufacturing, Property and Insurance Division of the former Quinn Group have seen profits being decimated under their stewardship. THIS INCLUDES GLASS. We acknowledge that experience, a sound relationship and history with customers, suppliers and locals is pivotal to achieve success for any business and it is fair to say that none of these attributes were at play with the new managers. This is another reason why the Glass business MUST be owned and managed by those in receipt of such attributes and who can work alongside QBRC for the better good of all.

Separately, we are heartened to see that the Quinn family had a good day in court on Tuesday (see Irish Independent article below on this page) and we hope that Anglo/IBRC will not succeed in preventing them from running the case in accordance with the preliminary hearing which ruled in favour of the Quinns in 2012 and which Anglo/IBRC are now appealing. Everybody on this Island deserves to hear the full story and it is the full story that Anglo/IBRC are desperately trying to prevent the Quinns from telling.

Finally, we want to thank everyone who hung in there and stayed the course. We have shown the world that we will not lie down and be walked on and we look forward to the likes of Fintan O'Toole apologising to all of us for derogatory comments in the past. Go QBRC..............................