The head of AIB says he spoke to Small Business Minister John Perry about his financial difficulties with Danske bank but did not afford him any special treatment.

A senior Fine Gael Minister said that he is confident that Junior Minister John Perry will be able to remain on in his job - depsite a €2.47m judgement against him and his wife, in the commercial court yesterday.

Irish companies on a trade mission to the Czech Republic and Poland haved signed contracts with a potential value of €17m.

Ireland's first National Enterprise Week began today with the aim of promoting indigenous entrepreneurship and raising awareness of the support available to small businesses.