Restaurants and cafes have asked for a bailout from the Government similar to the one given to creches after it emerged that four of the main insurance providers are pulling out of the Irish hospitality market.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland was notified of the news that four insurance companies would be pulling out of the Irish café and hospitality market by a broker, according to a spokesperson.

Lingerie chain La Senza collapsed into administration today triggering 1,300 redundancies and the closure of more than 100 outlets in the UK and Ireland.

Actress Leslie Ash said today she is ready to draw the curtain on a “traumatic year” as she began promoting a lingerie range.