In 2003, the Labour Court recommended that Bank of Ireland increase a worker’s lump-sum settlement to €20,000 over a dispute about an early-retirement package. The recommendation was signed on 9 January 2003. The Irish Bank Officials Association said the worker had been promised a better package if one became available before March 2000. The bank argued the later Group Transformation Programme package came after that deadline and that the worker had already received enhanced departure terms. The Court found the commitment had expired before the new package became available, so the worker was not entitled to it. It nevertheless recommended that the bank raise its offer to €20,000 in full and final settlement.