A roundup of today's other business stories in brief:
BoI staff lift outsourcing strike threat
Staff at Bank of Ireland's retail learning division have suspended a threat of industrial action pending recommendations from the Labour Relations Commission. The Irish Bank Officials Association, which represents the 30 staff in that division who are affected by the bank's outsourcing of business to Accenture, met with LRC chief Kieran Mulvey yesterday. After a lengthy discussion the threat of industrial action was lifted and Mr Mulvey is expected to issue his recommendations shortly.
DCC chairman to retire next year
DCC chairman Alex Spain said yesterday that he would retire from the group's board next year. Mr Spain said in a statement that he would not seek re-election to the DCC board in advance of its 2007 annual general meeting.
Property group gains court order
An Irish property group has secured a High Court order restraining a company and a company director, with which it was involved in selling Spanish properties to Irish investors, from reducing their assets below €1.4 million.
The order was granted yesterday by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy to Martin Giblin, SC, for Simply Property Group SL and Simple Palmera Properties Ltd (Ireland), against Palmera Properties SL and Sier Schravesande.
The plaintiffs say they are owed some €1.4 million in alleged outstanding commission and expenses arising from the referral of 254 clients to the defendants on foot of commission agreements.
ParkMagic brings in new chairman
Former Ibec director Brian Geoghegan has joined ParkMagic as chairman as the company prepares to roll out the world's first in-car parking permit display system controlled by mobile phones.
The company plans to expand the service to city councils and county councils around the world.
Inspired Gaming to seek listing
Inspired Gaming, a UK company led by Trinity Commerce founder Norman Crowley, will seek a listing on London's Alternative Investment Market next Friday after raising £108 million (€157 million) in a share placing.
The company describes itself as the leading player in the UK server-based gaming market.
Mr Crowley founded e-service firm Trinity Commerce in 1995, later selling it to Eircom.
Freake becomes a Westpark director
Former Dell executive Reg Freake has been made a director of Westpark Shannon Ltd, a new 40-acre commercial development of more than a million square feet, including seven five-storey buildings overlooking Shannon Airport.
