The world of HIV and Aids research has been rocked by the Malaysia Airlines disaster which claimed the lives of more than 100 leading experts in the field.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today defended the decision to part-privatise Aer Lingus by saying it would secure its future.

Dermot Desmond's investment vehicle, has taken a 13.55% stake in airline software company Datalex.

The taxpayer is facing an insurance bill of up to £5bn to keep Irish airlines in the air after insurers pulled the plug on third party war risk cover in the wake of the September 11 atrocities.