The Fifty Shades blockbuster trilogy, which sold 100m copies, contributed to the Irish arm of WH Smith almost tripling pre-tax profits last year to €1.542m.

Pre-tax profits at the one of the country’s largest car rental firms last year increased by 59% to €558,536, figures show.

TWO leading academics have urged graduates to remain positive in the face of the current economic crisis.

The Government is engaged in constructive talks with the International Monetary Fund and Europe to secure the best outcome for the country, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today.

ELEVATOR workers picketed a number of shopping centres yesterday as the dispute between members of the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union and lift company OTIS intensified.

Four hundred new retail jobs are set to be created with the opening of Terminal Two at Dublin Airport later this year.

PAUL MILLS’S column headlined ‘Inefficiencies see money poured down drain’ (November 12) contained a number of inaccuracies relating to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and the construction of Terminal Two (T2) at Dublin airport.

DIAGEO and Cadbury, two of the country’s largest employers not directly involved in the electricians’ strike, have warned of the row’s knock-on effect on jobs.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise has called on both sides in the electricians' dispute to resolve their differences.

Construction started this morning on Terminal Two, the new €395m new passenger terminal at Dublin Airport.

A MAN was last night being questioned by police after a security alert forced the closure of part of Heathrow Airport.

A team of independent experts was appointed today to verify the costs of the construction of Dublin Airport’s new Terminal Two.

Britain today remained on terror alert after a series of alarms and arrests amid heightened security at airports across the UK.

BRITAIN remained on terror alert last night after another day of security scares across Britain.

Police have let staff back into Terminal Two at Heathrow Airport.