PAY RISES LOWER IN MANUFACTURING - The Small Firms Association has published a survey this morning which shows that pay for people working for small companies increased by 5% last year.
Director Patricia Callan said there were below average increases of 2-3% in sectors which had been under pressure recently, such as manufacturing.
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NEW MANAGERS FOR GREAT SOUTHERNS - Last year the Government sold the Great Southern Hotels in Dublin, Shannon and Cork to a group of businessmen. This morning it has been announced the hotels will be managed by Radisson SAS, which is part of the Rezidor group.
Its regional director Michel Schutzbach said the company was not in business to cut jobs, and needed trained and motivated staff.
He said the hotels' names would be changed to Radisson SAS Airport hotels in Dublin and Cork and Park Inn in Shannon.
Mr Schutzbach said the new managers planned to build on the hotels' business by developing its staff to deliver quality service.
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NEWS IN BRIEF AND MARKETS - British oil giant BP is expected to be heavily criticised by US safety investigators later today over a refinery disaster that killed 15 workers two years ago.
Dutch bank ABN Amro and Britain's Barclays have confirmed they are in merger talks to create the world's fifth biggest bank.
At home outsourcing group Newcourt has results - pre-tax profits were €5.7m for last year.
The euro is worth $1.33 and 68p sterling.
