The Government must acknowledge the potential of Cork as Ireland’s second city with investment to substantially strengthen our metropolitan profile, Cork Chamber President Bill O'Connell has said.

Being named as one of the five best ports to visit in Western Europe is very prestigious for the town of Cobh and has come about through a lot of hard work.

Day three of the Cork International Choral Festival sees plenty more exciting events happening across Cork City. Check out some of Friday's highlights here. 

The two main business groups in Cork have endorsed the OPW’s €140m city flood defence plan.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan will meet with senior International Monetary Fund and World Bank officials in California today to convince them to encourage US companies to continue investing in Ireland.

Rory McIlroy admits a third consecutive Race to Dubai title is now out of his hands after his withdrawal from the Turkish Airlines Open.

The O’Donovan brothers are due back on home soil tomorrow night, amid hopes they might have another bit of precious metal to declare as they go through Customs.

The debate over the future of Cork’s local authorities has escalated to a war of words between two organisations representing businesses in the city.

The Government is facing renewed pressure to sanction the construction of a strategic new motorway between Cork City and Ringaskiddy.

A radical overhaul of how law and order operates was demanded by opposition TDs in the wake of Alan Shatter’s departure as justice minister.

A new strategy to increase the number of tourists visiting Dublin by 60% by 2020, almost doubling tourism revenue to €2.5bn, is welcome, according to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

Business leaders in Cork have called on the Government to ensure local authorities are properly financed so they don’t have to increase rates.

Blocking a controversial proposal to ban abortions in private clinics allows Marie Stopes to operate under a cloak of darkness, it was claimed tonight.

The President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, and Chief Executive of Greencore, is calling for a 'Yes' vote in the EU Fiscal Treaty Referendum.

THE head of Cork Chamber will call on the environment minister today to take radical steps to slash commercial rates.

Change is needed to make the best of Cork Airport, writes Cork Chamber president John Mullins

Sinn Féin Dáil party walks out en masse from Chamber in opposition to payment of Anglo bondholders.

Human rights judges have rejected an appeal by ex-Formula One boss Max Mosley against his failed bid to force a change in UK privacy laws.

The Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby is building up to a wonderful climax and we are in for some magnificent racing at Shelbourne on Saturday when the quarter finals will be backed up by the second round heats of the Derby Plate.

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, facing record bond yields and calls for his resignation, said Italy is “up to the task” of tackling the debt crisis as its economic fundamentals are solid.

Dublin: The Government should stimulate job growth through small changes to VAT, PRSI rebate scheme and stamp duty, Dublin Chamber of Commerce has suggested in its submission to the Minister of Finance on the upcoming jobs initiative.

BUSINESS confidence is at its highest level in almost two years, a survey has found.

A long-awaited French corruption trial has opened with former President Jacques Chirac as the star defendant.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland is warning that any increase in the Irish corporation tax rate would be detrimental.

GOVERNMENT policies are threatening businesses, Cork Chamber warned yesterday.

A major survey of companies in Ireland who are members and partners of the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce suggests that the Irish economy will grow modestly over the next three years.

IRISH industry’s competitiveness has improved over the last three years, according to a survey of companies employing 200,000 people.

Cork Chamber President Ger O’Mahoney today welcomed the recent discussions by stakeholders in the city with a view to kickstarting the Cork Docklands development.

THE IDA has been accused of “de-emphasising” the importance of Cork and Dublin as locations for foreign direct investment.

NAMA alone is not the answer to solving credit problems faced by companies, according to the Cork Chamber president, who also believes the public sector needs to be reformed.

DUBLIN needs to elect a credible non-celebrity mayor to drive critical local authority reforms and to eliminate €170 million of waste in expenditure and work practices.

IRELAND’S attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment will be strengthened, as will trade relations with European countries following the passing of the Lisbon Treaty.

VOTING yes to Lisbon would give a major boost to the Irish economy and help it to move faster out of the current slump.

AS the tourist season reaches its peak, the industry in Killarney was yesterday urged to use phosphate-free cleaning agents to protect the world-famous lakes, a renowned scenic attraction.

Ireland is getting too expensive for business and needs to improve competitiveness to attract more foreign multinationals, it was claimed today.

Cork Chamber chiefs will highlight issues of concern to the business community in the city to Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell on Friday.

The Italian parliament today resumed voting to elect the country’s new president, but no winner was expected to emerge from the second round of voting as the two political coalitions still had not agreed on a candidate.

AS the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) continues talks with unions and workers to finalise a business plan for the airport, a business leader yesterday called on everyone involved with Shannon to pull together in the interests of the airport and the entire West of Ireland.

CONNECT CORK has announced that the Schools Technology Competition Awards Ceremony will take place in Cork City Council Chamber, City Hall on December 14 at 4pm.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is to meet the Rev Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams later this week to assess the chances of a return to devolution in Northern Ireland, it emerged tonight.

THE Chamber of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) last night presented the first awards for corporate social responsibility (CSR) to businesses.

WORKERS should be given an income tax credit at the 42% rate for the first €4,000 a year in pension contributions, Finance Minister Brian Cowen has been urged.

Agriculture Correspondent

Dublin Chamber of Commerce has called for a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming re-run of the Nice referendum, saying a rejection of the controversial treaty would lead to “serious” job losses.