Corporate tax revenues were the star performer in the first month of the year, but Vat receipts fell back and Government spending rose sharply, the monthly exchequer figures showed.

Michael McAteer, the 50-year-old managing partner of Grant Thornton Ireland, the world’s seventh-largest professional consultancy firm, is here to talk about his firm’s expansion in Cork, but there is little he won’t offer a thoughtful opinion on.

The rate of unemployment in September remained unchanged from August at 5.3%.

Tax returns for July will bring comfort for the time being to Paschal Donohoe and his October budget preparations despite Brexit fears, commentators said, as Vat and corporate tax revenues brought in more than was anticipated in the month.

There has been a slight increase in the number of people unemployed in Ireland for the month of June, according to the latest figures from the CSO.

A strengthening of income and corporate tax receipts in May helped narrow the gap between the Government’s tax revenue targets and what it is actually collecting for the first time this year.

The bulk of the 583 full- and part-time jobs at the company are likely to be lost, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan heard yesterday.

Today’s Export Ireland 2014 survey found a 71% increase in exports during the year – higher than last year’s growth of 62% – and a positive outlook for 2015.

Accounting firm Grant Thornton received an additional €2.8m in fees last year bringing to €13m the amount the firm has received for acting as administrators to the Quinn Insurance group.

A 32% rise in the value of merger and acquisition activity in the Irish food and beverage sector, to €726m, was recorded in 2012.

EXPORTERS remain confident about their prospects in 2012, but most also have major concerns about business conditions here.

A THIRD of Irish businesses are planning to expand — via merger or acquisition (M&A) — this year, according to a new survey.

CHRIS NEWTON, the 2003 winner, took custody of the race leader’s yellow jersey at the end of yesterday’s second stage of the FBD Insurance RAS.

ROGER AIKEN (Louth Safe Cycling), who turned 24 three days earlier, got a belated birthday present yesterday in the form of his first ever stage win as the FBD Insurance RAS got under way with an 84 mile stage from Dublin to Emyvale.