Increasing hopes of sunshine enhance a hectic June bank holiday weekend in the south-west. Forecasters are pointing to ‘reasonably fine weather’ which should attract large crowds to a plethora of festivals, exhibitions and other exciting events through Cork and Kerry as well as the Mid-West.

High-level approaches were continuing yesterday to ensure the Liebherr Group maintains its commitment to the Killarney plant and does not go ahead with threatened measures that would affect employment in its Irish operation.

The German Ambassador to Ireland has said Ireland has faced up to its economic challenges.

Former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and Brud Skehan recalled old times yesterday — when they were both young boys, 83 years ago.

Germany does not want to see corporate tax rates harmonised across the EU, the country’s ambassador to Ireland has insisted.