Any new version of the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement will repeat the failures of the current model unless the Government changes the funding and staffing arrangements too, a leading anti-corruption watchdog has warned.

As a member of the forced diaspora, it depressed me to read that Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton said that pay for the public sector would be restored.

The IMPACT trade union has accused the IAG group of rehashing the current growth strategy of Aer Lingus management and using it as its own.

The IDA emphasised yesterday that you could not force a company to go to a particular part of the country unless it makes sense for their business.

Cork-headquartered investment firm Kernel Capital has continued its expansion and its relationship with Bank of Ireland through the launch of a £25m (€29m) venture capital fund; aimed at investing in SMEs north of the border over the next five years.

The rate of IDA-sponsored visits by potential overseas investors has increased this year over 2012.

A total of 180 voluntary redundancies are to be sought at the Abbott plant in Sligo.

Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton has today described comments by the German, Finnish and Dutch finance ministers about the European Stability Mechanism as part of the "ups and downs" of negotiations.

The Government has been forced to break the rules of its early retirement scheme in order to save the inquiry into Anglo Irish Bank from a major setback.

More than four people have been declared bankrupt every day in the North since April, the North's Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has revealed.

Irish firms are celebrating record exports, which have returned to pre-recession levels, according to Cork's Evening Echo newspaper.

IN less than two weeks, dad Ger O’Flynn will be the father of twins.

DEVELOPERS of supports for travel, games, education and hotel bookings are among 15 new firms awarded funding under Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund for software start-ups.

MBNA’s credit card business in Ireland recorded pre-tax profits of €2.97 million last year, new figures show.

The Mandate trade union has been meeting with Superquinn’s senior management team since 8am this morning.

IN downgrading Ireland’s debt to junk status, Moody’s cites, “... the continued weakness in the Irish economy”.

The Government has decided not to appeal last week's High Court ruling which struck down the laws surrounding certain wage agreements.

The Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton has said he "cannot say" how many jobs will be created through a reform of wage-setting mechanisms.

Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton said today that he is confident Labour will support his proposals to change wage agreements.

A protest will take place outside the Dáil later against controversial plans to reform wage-setting mechanisms in the hotel, catering and cleaning sectors.

Forty new jobs are to be created at Aruba Networks in Cork today.

Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton has denied that comments made by the Taoiseach in relation to possible changes to wage agreements were a "slap on the wrist".

Thousands of farmers will today protest in Dublin against what they say is the Government's failure to act on supermarket giants who fleece farmers in order to bolster their profits.

A jobs boost is on the way for Co. Roscommon.

The union representing workers at Superquinn is calling for an urgent meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation as fears grow that jobs at the company could be at risk.

Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton has today given the clearest signal yet the Government will overhaul employment agreements, including cutting pay rates.

Restaurant owners said today that urgent Government action was needed in order to prevent further job losses in the sector.

The decision to exclude customers in arrears from new price plans announced today by the ESB has been criticised.

Three men who were arrested at Smithfield horse market in Dublin yesterday, are expected to appear in court this week.

The DSPCA is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation ahead of this Sunday's Smithfield horse fair in Dublin.

Hundreds of jobs could be created in a new call centre for online role-playing games in Galway, it was announced today.

ALTOBRIDGE, the privately-owned technology group based in Tralee, Co Kerry, is to receive a $12 million (€8.66m) investment to drive its low-cost international mobile global communications business.

The largest biotechnology company in the world, Amgen has announced that it is to purchase the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called on the Minister for Enterprise to withdraw what it says is a “potentially unlawful” Government advertisement on the changes to the minimum wage.

Sources have said that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keefe is to tender his resignation from the Cabinet.

CLOUD computing and data management specialists Quest Software is to announce the creation of 150 jobs in Cork today.

IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, has said the Government's move to reduce the national minimum wage is necessary to support economic recovery and create employment.

The new national minimum wage rate is to take effect on February 1.

Minister for Enterprise Batt O'Keeffe has said it is too early to say whether a referendum to abolish the Seanad will take place on the same date as the General Election.

THE Government has launched a 17-page guide it claims will help small firms access credit and rebuild relationships with the banks.

A new guide published today will help viable small businesses develop better relationships with banks and access credit to grow and create jobs, according to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD.

UP to €150 million in additional exports will result from the €50m investment at Danone’s baby milk formula plant in Macroom, Co Cork, when the new plant is commissioned in February 2012.

A €17m fund is being launched to encourage new firms to create jobs.

A €17 million fund for firms, aimed at creating jobs, will be launched today by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe.

HOLLYWOOD great Maureen O’Hara has spoken of her dream of finding and developing young Irish stars of the screen at a new drama centre which is to be built in her honour in her adopted west Cork home village.

UP to 40 jobs are to be created by Danone Baby Nutrition’s global network following a €50m add-on investment at one of its Irish businesses.

IRISH limited companies can save a collective €29 million by filing annual accounts online by availing of new procedures permitting company directors to sign the documents electronically.

ATLANTIC Bridge (ABVEN), has raised €85 million in funding for technology focused companies.

BUSINESS leaders and community groups in south and east Cork are joining forces to develop a job creation strategy, with a strong focus on green economy opportunities.

THE US-owned healthcare company Stryker is to take over part of Boston Scientific’s operations in Cork.