BT IRELAND TO ESCAPE JOB CUTS - Telecoms group BT is announcing 15,000 job cuts worldwide. But BT Ireland's chief executive Chris Clarke says that, due a strong performance in Ireland, he expects no change in job numbers here.
Mr Clarke says BT Ireland's profits had increased by 18% in the year to the end of March compared with a year earlier. He said BT Ireland had added 100 jobs through three major contracts but had had reductions in other areas, leaving job numbers flat.
BT Ireland's revenues declined 4% in the year.
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FARMERS' MARKET COMES TO BoI - Yesterday - as AIB Group's board was being pelted with eggs - organic eggs were being sold in the courtyard outside Bank of Ireland College Green in Dublin. 20 farmers' market stalls were set up there as part of the bank's Enterprise Week. Most were selling food, some craft and jewellery.
Sean McArdle, who runs Irish Farmers' Markets, says applications for stalls had 'gone through the roof'. He said the markets were as good value as supermarkets, as the food was superior.
Trevor Sargent, Minister for Horticulture, said there was a 'huge amount of potential' in farmers' markets, as people were looking to their own resources.
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NEWS IN BRIEF - Bookmaker Paddy Power has made its first move into the Australian betting market by buying a 51% stake in Sportsbet.
Building materials group Kingspan says trading in the first four months has been 'predictably tough'.
