PROSPECTS for future economic success would receive a significant boost with the appointment of an exports supremo, according to a report by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.

BACKBENCH Dáil deputies and senators from 17 different Oireachtas committees spent over €400,000 on 87 different trips abroad from January 2006 to January 2007, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.

The US Ambassador to Ireland has snubbed tomorrow's meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sinn Fein was branded as undemocratic tonight for failing to appear before a Dail committee to answer questions about alleged links with international terrorism.