RNS Number:6108U
Irish Life & Permanent PLC
26 January 2004

Irish Life & Permanent plc - Comment on Media Speculation



Irish Life & Permanent plc issued the following statement on Monday January 26th
2004 at 07.00:

The lead story on the business pages of the Sunday 25th January edition of an
Irish national newspaper suggested that the UK quoted company, HBOS, is
considering a takeover bid in respect of Irish Life & Permanent plc. While it is
the policy of Irish Life & Permanent plc not to comment on speculative stories
such as this, the article states as a fact that "talks between the two sides
have taken place in recent weeks".

Irish Life & Permanent plc wishes to state that this statement is untrue.
Neither the company, nor anyone acting on its behalf, has been involved in any
such discussions or talks with representatives of HBOS or anyone acting on its
behalf.





Contact details:

Name               Telephone no.          Mobile no.

Barry Walsh          +353 (0) 1 7042678     +353 (0) 876818157

Investor Relations

David McCarthy     +353 (0) 1 8563050     +353 (0) 872567292

Group CFO

Media

Ray Gordon          + 353 (0) 1 6788099     +353 (0) 872417373




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