Ireland’s tourist industry has experienced its best year since 2009.

The Government, via the National Pension Reserve Fund, is making available €850m to small businesses through three new funds in an effort to fill the gap in the market by banks exiting the country.

The National Pensions Reserve Fund and Silicon Valley Bank have entered an agreement that will see €79 million invested in the Irish technology scene.

A US bank has unveiled plans to lend $100m (€79m) to Ireland's innovation sector.

The Irish Infrastructure Fund has completed its first investment in the renewable sector by acquiring majority interest in the portfolio of wind farms from Viridian Group for an undisclosed fee.

Fáilte Ireland says several high profile international TV shows and print media will be among the tens of thousands of overseas visitors soaking up the Saint Patrick's Day atmosphere in Dublin this weekend.

The Chief Executive of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) will appear before the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this morning.

EARLIER this year, an unfamiliar wave crashed over Leinster football when Wexford, Carlow, Longford and Westmeath pushed their way to the front of the provincial queue and paired off in the U21 football semi-finals.

The perfect pint of Guinness proved an alluring temptation for the Duke of Edinburgh today – but one he could just about resist.

UP to €40 million in venture capital funding is poised to be pumped into Irish businesses through a number of funds.

QUINN Insurance has finally bowed to the Financial Regulator’s demand to have its insurance arm, which employs 2,800 people, placed into permanent administration in a move heralded as a fresh start in Irish corporate governance.

CONCERNED Quinn Insurance policyholders have been advised – by one industry watchdog – to shop around, after the company went into administration yesterday.

THE new head of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), John Corrigan, has said the first repayments due from the banks, related to the Government’s €7 billion recapitalisation, will not be made on time.

Guinness bosses today raised their glasses to a record one million visitors who have flocked to the home of the black stuff so far this year.

IRELAND’S multi-billion euro pension ‘nest egg’ is profiting from the arms trade and tobacco sales, TDs have warned.

THE National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF) is to put out a tender for managers of its €6 billion passive equity portfolio.

A FORMER head of accountants Deloitte & Touche has been appointed to chair the €14.5 billion National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF).

Padraig O'Gorman has been ratified as the first selector under new Wexford senior football manager Paul Bealin for the 2006 season.

Horeswood star Leigh O'Brien is to return to inter-county football to play for new Wexford manager Paul Bealin in 2006.