UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the date of 14 May, 2004 ALLIED IRISH BANKS, public limited company Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F..... Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ..... No ..X... If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14th MAY, 2004 ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c. (AIB) announces Independent Assurer Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) has today announced that Mr Lauri McDonnell has been appointed as the independent assurer of the investigation into certain foreign exchange charges made by AIB. This appointment has been approved by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA). Mr McDonnell, who is a former Comptroller and Auditor General, will take up this post with immediate effect. He will have access to external independent audit expertise in carrying out the investigation, which is to be completed by mid-June. -ENDS- For further information contact: Catherine Burke Head of Corporate Relations AIB Bankcentre Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: +353 1 6413894 Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised. ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c. (Registrant) Date 14 May, 2004 By: ___________________ Gary Kennedy Group Director, Finance, Risk and Enterprise Technology Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.