There are now 21 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland and 12 confirmed cases in the North.

A number of senior Fianna Fáil TDs have insisted that their party will not go into coalition with Sinn Féin following next Saturday’s election despite an ever-growing rumbling from the party’s base that such an eventuality should be on the table.

Now that we’re heading into the third week of the campaign, the temperature has been turned up, with the two biggest parties squabbling endlessly.

The Government will announce a €2bn stimulus package tomorrow but the timeframe for the delivery of the projects involved will be “vague”, a Coalition source has said.

BANK of Ireland refused to comment on weekend reports that it is in advanced talks with a number of private equity investors in the US interested in taking a significant stake in the bank.

A rival to Royal Mail said its postal operation had more doubled revenues after attracting new business, particularly in financial services.

London’s leading shares managed to scrape into positive territory today after a boost from oil and energy stocks.

Companies in the energy and oil industries were today powering the FTSE 100 Index to its highest level in a month.

The London market retreated below the 5400 threshold today as telecoms stocks and miners were hit by a wave of profit-taking.

News of a pick-up in trading at high street chain Woolworths provided a much-needed boost to a string of top-flight retail stocks today.

A rival business to the Royal Mail made a profit in its first year of operation, it emerged today.

Investors eyeing a potential £7.2bn takeover of drinks giant Allied Domecq helped stir the London market back into life today.

A potential takeover offer for drinks giant Allied Domecq today helped the FTSE 100 Index to bed in above the 4900 barrier.

The London market held on to its recent strong gains today as investors resisted the urge to take profits.

Top flight shares edged into the black today after public finances showed their biggest monthly surplus for three years.

Upbeat economic data from the United States helped lift the London market today.

Companies reporting results next week include:

An historic agreement that will shake up Britain's postal system was agreed today by the Royal Mail and rival Business Post.

A mammoth pan-European legal battle, a price war that could see profits halved and a host of angry investors — just some of the problems facing Ryanair in the coming months if the speculation is to be believed.

London shares took their cue from a positive overnight session on Wall Street to post modest gains in early trading.