Irish reaction: Hundreds of thousands of workers across the State will momentarily suspend activities tomorrow in response to the Taoiseach's call for two minutes' silence in response to the London bombings.
Employers and unions reacted positively to the call yesterday and said it would have widespread support among businesses and employees.
Mr Ahern called for the silence to be observed from noon tomorrow "as a mark of solidarity with the people of London".
Ibec director of industrial relations, Brendan McGinty, said the employers' body fully supported the call, "following the horrific terrorist attacks in London last week.
"We anticipate that many businesses throughout the country that are in a position to observe the stoppage will do so."
A spokeswoman for the State's largest union, Siptu, said it hoped employers would facilitate workers who wished to show their respect to those "who lost their lives in such awful and tragic circumstances".
She pointed out that for some workers, however, participating in a moment's silence at a specified time might not be possible.
These included transport workers, such as bus and train drivers, and those involved in emergency services and the health sector, including nurses.
Workers in most areas of employment, however, including offices and shops would be likely to observe the silence, she said.
Mr Ahern, Tánaiste Mary Harney and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen will observe the two minutes silence at Dublin Castle, where they will be attending a meeting of the social partners.
