A total of 700 jobs have been announced by the energy giant SSE, it was confirmed today.

Airtricity is set to boost its presence in the North by taking over the business of the region’s leading residential gas supplier Phoenix Supply.

Gas prices in the North are being cut by 19% from the start of next month, it was announced today.

The North's hard-pressed householders were given an early Christmas present of reduced electricity and gas prices today.