After one of the longer corporate courtships, two of the Republic's larger hotel groups finally signed on the dotted line this week.

Jurys and Doyles have been talking for many months about putting together what will be the largest hotel group in the State. The deal gives the enlarged group the clout to operate on the international stage, as well as the scale to ease fears of a hostile takeover from another party.

It also provides the family of the late P.V. Doyle with a real say in the running of the enlarged group as it will collectively be the largest shareholder in the new chain.

From the Doyle's point of view, they have got a good price for their interest while retaining a say in the running of the hotels but shedding some of the responsibility which was weighing heavily on P.V.'s heirs.

Jurys, for its part, is now a real player, with a stable of 19 hotels and nine inns and has acquired a presence in the US market. It has also secured an indemnity from the Doyles against any nasty surprises that may or may not emerge from the Moriarty Tribunal vis-a-vis tax liabilities.