190 tonnes of marine litter, including nets, plastic and wood was taken from the sea by Irish fishermen last year.

The seafood development agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which has collected more than 600 tonnes of old or damaged fishing nets for recycling, exchanged ideas with the sector for reducing the impact of marine waste on the environment at a recent workshop in Cork.

The High Court has granted orders permitting the examiner of seven companies controlled by Galway businessman Gerry Barrett to enter into an agreement with an investor.

Parties in a row between Deutsche Bank and a group of seven Galway firms, involving business debts just short of €700m, have appealed and cross-appealed High Court orders on the future of the companies.

ONE of the country’s best known hotels, the five-star Ashford Castle in Co Mayo recorded combined pre-tax losses totalling €39 million in 2009 and 2008.