Pre-tax profits at the main Irish arm of medical technology firm Becton Dickinson increased by 18% to €63.9m, last year, as revenues rose by 7% to nearly €1.15bn.

The Criminal Assets Bureau and Gardaí have raided a number of properties connected with key members of a Louth-based criminal gang this morning, in connection with a major investigation into fuel-laundering.

Labour rebels claim to have support in the parliamentary party for their calls for a wealth tax in the budget.

INCUBATION companies in Irish third-level institutions could create up to 66,000 jobs within 10 years, according to one leading academic.

CONSUMERS claimed back over €100,000 in refunds last year following the intervention of a European watchdog.

Officials from the EU/IMF/ECB Troika have issued a statement praising Ireland for remaining "on track" with its recovery programme.

Hauliers attending this weekend’s Annual Conference of the Irish Road Haulage Association will vote on a motion to withdraw their services in protest at the Government’s failure to address the impact of rising fuel costs on their business.

STATE agencies like the HSE and local authorities will be asked to commit to paying their bills within 15 working days, following a meeting between the Small Firms Association (SFA) and the Minister for Small Business John Perry.

Trading in Bank of Ireland and AIB shares has been suspended for the day by the Irish Stock Exchange amid fears speculation on the stress test results could create disorder in the markets.

NEW data has highlighted the massive role US multinational subsidiaries are playing in helping the economy get through the current crisis.

EIGHT million cigarettes smuggled into the country from China have been seized by customs officers and gardaí.

Taxpayers were today told to be proud after the country’s overseas aid programme was rated among the best in the world.

THOUSANDS of jobs would be lost and a third of betting shops would close if a proposed 2% tax on winning bets is introduced in December’s budget, bookmakers have warned.

A GENERAL hike in insurance premiums and as much as a 3% tax on all non-life premiums could be the cost consumers have to pay for the state’s second largest insurance provider going into administration.

Tycoon Sean Quinn today accused the Financial Regulator of getting its sums wrong amid claims his insurance division has a €448m black hole in its books.

Eight hundred green jobs could be created across Ireland in the next three years, a Fermanagh-based firm pledged today.

THE record number of applications – 17,000 – for the 2009 REPS scheme, which closed in mid-May, may have doomed the scheme.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has said the Government will provide whatever money Anglo Irish Bank needs to remain afloat.

Customs officers have today seized nine million contraband cigarettes at Dublin Port.

IMMIGRANTS abusing state relief will be weeded out, Justice Minister Michael McDowell pledged yesterday.

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

A major cross-border investigation has reportedly uncovered widespread social welfare fraud by asylum seekers and other immigrants.

The employers' body IBEC has slammed new EU duties on leather shoe imports from China and Vietnam that are coming into force today.

The Irish Exchequer reportedly lost out on around €7m in 2004 due to the controversial incentive that allows stallion owners to pay no tax on stud fees.

THE GPA’s commercial director Donal O’Neill is hopeful that the Government can be persuaded to pass legislation early next year that will provide all inter-county hurlers and footballers with annual grants of between €1,000 and €2,500.

A new report has revealed that civil servants claimed a total of €100m in expenses and over-time last year.

Bank of Ireland has reportedly appointed businessman Denis O'Brien as its deputy governor.

SHARE trading on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE) soared by 22% to €26.8 billion in the first four months of the year, generating commission of more than €33.5m for stockbrokers.

Customs officers have seized 4.8 million contraband cigarettes at Rosslare Port in Co Wexford.

THE price of an average family saloon car is €22,000 — €13,636 for the car and €8,364 in excise duty and VAT for the Exchequer.

Customs officers have seized three million illegally smuggled cigarettes at Rosslare Harbour in Co Wexford.

The Conference of Religious in Ireland has called on the Government to raise taxes on the wealthy in order to address the growing gap between the rich and poor.

IS this for real or is it just a fantasy?

Customs officials in Rosslare Harbour have seized six million illegal cigarettes on a lorry that had arrived in the harbour from Cherbourg in France.

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy has backed a British veto on plans to abolish Vehicle Registration Tax on cars. The proposal being drawn up by the European Commission would scrap VRT, which at present adds from 21% to 30% to the cost of cars in Ireland, and replace it with an annual road tax.