“THE Government wants to be able to give a strong and consistent message to Irish business and multinationals, and to our citizens, that Ireland’s electricity networks are robust, modern and safe,” stated Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte last week.

McDonald’s is to create 700 jobs across the country over the next three years.

Population and employment will double along the Metro North route over the next two decades, it was claimed today.

The financial services sector contributed Stg£5.3bn (€8.7bn) to the economy in the North and the Republic in 2000, representing an increase of 63.9% since 1995.