Siptu is to meet the 180 Marks and Spencer workers who will lose their jobs after the retailer announced the closure of four stores.

Industrial gases group BOC today said a strong performance from its global gases operations had helped it post an 18.5% rise in half yearly operating profits to £273.8m (€408m).

BRITISH retailing giant Marks & Spencer is to spend €14 million on a new store at the Blanchardstown Centre in Dublin.