Abbott Ireland Awarded Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Accolade

Abbott Ireland has won the Overall Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Chambers Ireland’s President’s Awards for CSR, which were held in Dublin last night (24/09/09). The judging panel selected Abbott Ireland after a competitive short-listing process for the sustained excellence of their CSR programmes.

The sixth 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 resourceTM. Each winner was presented with a specially commissioned trophy designed by Mullingar Crystal from their CrystalArt range.

Speaking at the event, Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive said, “These awards celebrate the positive contribution of Irish businesses in Ireland and overseas. While we are still dealing with significant economic challenges, it is heartening that companies continue to invest in this important area for all our benefit.”

Minister of State, Mr. John Curran T.D. said, “I am delighted to be here this evening and my Department's support of tonight's event is a practical example of the Government's support for CSR. In fact, the principles of CSR fit very well with my Department’s objectives of promoting and supporting the sustainable and inclusive development of communities. In my role as Minister with special responsibility for Drugs and Community Affairs, I work with a range of community initiatives, all of which are only possible because radical new alliances have formed between communities, voluntary agencies, government, and business. I am confident that these alliances can be of even greater benefit into the future.”

According to Gordon Carson, Business Development Director of resourceTM, “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. resourceTM places a strategic importance on CSR and 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 continued, “It is very encouraging to see these fantastic examples of Corporate Responsibility being celebrated. These past 12 months have been very testing times and CSR has proved its mettle in terms of continuing on through this period of economic uncertainty and is proving to be a valuable tool for rebuilding the reputation of Corporate Ireland. I would like to heartily congratulate all the organisations involved in this year's award.”

Other awards presented on the night:
Most Innovative CSR Project
Accenture for its innovative approach to CSR through Capturing Memories and Celebrating Life Achievements and for the implementation of CSR policies across the company.

Good Neighbour Award – Large Indigenous Company
Awarded to a consortium of An Post, Intel & Microsoft for their commitment to literacy awareness through its ‘Log on, Learn’ programme and for its continued endeavour to have a positive impact in the community.

Good Neighbour Award – Multinational Company
BT Ireland for the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and for its continued endeavour to promote the importance of science amongst young people.

Responsible Employer Award – Large Indigenous Company
CRH Ireland for its commitment to safety in the workplace through the Simon Safety Challenge and for its efforts to integrate social and environmental concerns into all aspects of the business.

Responsible Employer Award – Multinational Company
McDonald’s for its commitment to promoting diversity in the workplace through the Diversity Project and for its continued efforts to support social inclusion amongst customers and employees.

Marketplace Award - Large Indigenous Company
Topaz for its efforts to promote road safety through the Driver Reviver programme and its commitment to ethical work practices by ordering Fairtrade Coffee as part of its Marketplace CSR strategy.

Marketplace Award - Multinational Company
IBM International Holdings for its commitment to reduce the company’s environmental impact and for its efforts to integrate environmental concerns into all aspects of the business.

Eco-Business Award
Intel Ireland for its commitment to reducing energy consumption across the business through the Watt Watch Team and for its sustained efforts to have a positive environmental impact.

International Award - Large Indigenous Company
Kenmare Resources plc. for its commitment to the Kenmare-Moma Development Association and for its efforts to develop the communities in which it works.

International Award - Multinational Company
KPMG for its partnership with Hospice Africa Ireland and for its continued efforts to promote staff engagement in volunteer projects.

Best SME CSR Project Award
Alternatives for its support of Irish charities through the ‘Marketing for Change’ programme and for its endeavours to have a positive impact on the workplace, marketplace and the community.