Newstalk has concluded its review of the circumstances that led to George Hook’s recent rape remarks, which results in the radio presenter “stepping down” from his weekday slot to “take on” a new weekend show, writes Joyce Fegan.

Shares in Dalata Hotel Group have risen almost 8% as it reports an 80% rise in half-year, pre-tax profits of almost €33m.

The Dalata Hotel Group has defended its executive pay levels, which soared by nearly 73% last year.

Ireland’s largest hotels group has announced a €2m investment in one of Cork’s most successful hotels as part of a major rebranding, and has formally completed the takeover of the former Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

Investment at the landmark Silversprings Hotel in Cork by new owners Clayton/Dalata who acquired it two years ago as part of a nine-hotel €445m acquisition from the Moran Group will top €5 million by next year, while the hotel’s €3.2m reworked two-storey Events Centre, ballroom and business meeting rooms reopens from tomorrow.

The Dalata Hotel Group has bought the building which houses its Clayton Hotel in Cardiff, in a move analysts estimate will add nearly €2m to group earnings next year.

The Dalata Hotel Group is expected to have increased its UK room capacity by 15% inside the next two-and-a-half years.

The Dalata Hotel Group is to consider paying a maiden dividend to shareholders based on its 2017 earnings, management said yesterday.

The Dalata Hotel Group has continued its expansion drive by spending €40m on acquiring operatorship status in four hotels.

Plans for the €10m sale of a part-completed Cork City centre hotel building to the Dalata Hotel Group are well advanced, according to market sources.

Ireland’s largest hotel group, Dalata, is interested in adding the Clarion Hotel in Sligo to its portfolio.

Operating profits at the country’s largest hotel, Citywest, are set to exceed 2013 levels.