A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
New Waterford financial officer
Waterford Wedgwood has appointed Anthony Jones as chief financial officer with immediate effect. Mr Jones, who has also become a director of the company, was previously chief financial officer of Thorn, the multinational consumer electrical goods group.
He replaces Patrick Dowling, who retires early next year.
Air France-KLM sues Ryanair
Air France-KLM, Europe's biggest airline, is suing Ryanair after it publicised a complaint against the French company for allegedly co-ordinating fare increases with other airlines.
Air France is seeking compensation for slander after Ryanair "broadly advertised" its complaint to the European Commission in the press, the company said yesterday.
Ryanair's statements "are pure fabrication" and the company "is basing its complaint on the mere fact that Air France and the two other airlines concerned increased their fares on the same day", the Air France statement said.
Ryanair said in a statement that it looked forward to seeing Air France in court. "Ryanair didn't 'leak' this EU complaint to the press as Air France falsely claims." - (Bloomberg)
Protest by Coca-Cola staff
Workers at Coca-Cola's concentrates plant in Drogheda yesterday confirmed that they had undertaken a "blue flu" protest at the company.
A "large number" of staff rang in sick and did not go to work.
The company announced earlier this year that 262 jobs would go at the concentrates plant but that 25 and 66 jobs would be created at its plants in Athy and Ballina respectively.
Drogheda Concentrates and Siptu last night confirmed they had been invited to pursue the issues through the Labour Relations Commission. It is understood those talks will take place next week.
Barclays names new directors
Barclays Bank Ireland has appointed three new directors and a manager.
Investment banker Kieran White has joined Barclays as a relationship director from Ulster Bank, where he was associate director of the corporate banking division.
Greg Doran has moved from Barclays Commercial Bank in the UK. He will manage technology and telecoms clients in his new role.
Keith McGrane joins Barclays as a director from Depfa Bank. Keith O'Leary joins as a relationship manager from Grant Thornton. He will provide financing and risk management advice in his new role.
Firm seeks €10m for BES fund
Accountancy firm Horwath Bastow Charleton in Limerick is hoping to raise €10 million for its 2007 Pinnacle BES Fund, which will be launched by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin on Monday.
Under the 2007 Finance Act, the funding limit for BES schemes has increased to €2 million. Investors can commit up to €150,000.
Pinnacle Capital Partners, the directors of which are partners of Horwath Bastow Charleton, aims to invest the €10 million in BES-qualifying companies in 2008. The minimum investment is €5,000.
Dunnes outlet creates 130 jobs
Dunnes Stores has created 130 jobs by opening a new outlet in Co Cork. The 60,500sq ft store is situated in Charleville Town Centre.
Persian Gold to analyse samples
Persian Gold has submitted samples from its drilling project in central Iran for laboratory analysis. The firm reports "high core recoveries" for an initial four holes drilled in the area.
Results from the tests are expected in the coming weeks.
