The 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition is moving towards its climax, with the first group of nominees to be profiled in an RTÉ programme this evening.

In advance of the final awards night on September 23rd, each of the 24 nominees will be profiled in three documentaries produced by Setanta Television, which looks at a "day in their life". The first programme, on the international nominees, will be broadcast tonight on RTÉ 1 at 10.45 pm.

Featured tonight will be: Mr Patrick Brazel of Eontec; Dr Hugh Cormican of Andor Technology; Dr Peter Fitzgerald of Randox Laboratories; Mr Diarmuid Hegarty of Griffith College; Dr Cormac Kilty of Biotrin; Mr Willie Leahy of Connemara Trails; Mr Pat McDonagh of Supermacs and Claddagh Irish Pubs; and Mr Finbarr Power of CNG Hotels.

The industry and emerging nominees will be profiled on the subsequent two Thursdays. A winner will be selected from each category and one of these will be declared overall winner.