Billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien wrote a strongly-worded critical and cynical letter to Lucinda Creighton complaining about the European affairs minister’s disapproval of his appearance at the global economic forum.

The Taoiseach has denied the Government was looking at a specific timeframe for the referendum on the European fiscal stability agreement.

Hundreds of demonstrators marched through New York's financial district today and promised a national day of action with mass gatherings in other cities.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen begins a four-day visit to the US today during which he will visit the New York Stock Exchange and meet prominent Irish Americans on Wall Street.