Concerns persist for the hundreds of staff employed at 16 Debenhams stores in the Republic and the North as Debenhams said it was trading as normal despite its UK holding company going into administration.

Eircom has exited from examinership and the former national telecommunications company is now owned by a group of 150 banks and funds.

Dublin: Struggling telecoms group Eircom has officially recognised the co-ordinating committee representing first lien lenders, it said yesterday, allowing talks on restructuring its debt pile to start.