Dividend payments

An interim dividend of 20.0c, with scrip alternative, was paid in respect of Ordinary Shares on 2nd November 2007.

A final dividend of 48.0c, if approved, will be paid in respect of Ordinary Shares on 12th May 2008. A scrip alternative will be offered to shareholders.

Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) must be deducted from dividends paid by an Irish resident company, unless a shareholder is entitled to an exemption and has submitted a properly completed exemption form to the Company’s Registrars, Capita Registrars. DWT applies to dividends paid by way of cash or by way of shares under a scrip dividend scheme and is deducted at the standard rate of Income Tax (currently 20%). Non-resident shareholders and certain Irish companies, trusts, pension schemes, investment undertakings and charities may be entitled to claim exemption from DWT and have been sent the relevant form. Further copies of the form may be obtained from the Company’s Registrars. Shareholders should note that DWT will be deducted from dividends in cases where a properly completed form has not been received by the record date for a dividend. Individuals who are resident in Ireland for tax purposes are not entitled to an exemption.

Shareholders who wish to have their dividend paid direct to a bank account, by electronic funds transfer, should contact the Company’s Registrars to obtain a mandate form. Tax vouchers will be sent to the shareholder’s registered address under this arrangement.

Dividends are paid in euro. In order to avoid costs to shareholders, dividends are paid in Sterling and US Dollars to shareholders whose address according to the Share Register is in the UK and the United States respectively, unless they require otherwise.

Dividends in respect of 5% Cumulative Preference Shares are paid half-yearly on 15th April and 15th October.

Dividends in respect of 7% ‘A’ Cumulative Preference Shares are paid half-yearly on 5th April and 5th October.

Dividend history