A round-up of today's other business stories in brief.
US chamber calls for PRSI payment ceiling
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland has said the introduction of a ceiling on employers' social insurance payments would boost competitiveness.
The body, which represents US multinational employers such as Microsoft and Intel, wants the ceiling on employers' pay-related social insurance reinstated.
In its pre-budget submission to Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, it also calls for a tax cut on foreign dividends to zero or 12.5 per cent, from 25 per cent.
JetBird appoints vice chairman
Former GPA executive Jim King was yesterday appointed vice chairman of JetBird, the Dublin-based executive jet airline that is planning to launch in April 2009. JetBird also concluded a €21 million fundraising that is thought to value the firm at about €100 million.
T-Mobile to sell iPhone until ruling
T-Mobile, Germany's leading mobile operator, has said it will sell an unlocked Apple iPhone until a Hamburg court rules on the legality of its sales model for the device.
Vodafone Germany has taken out an injunction against T-Mobile, claiming its exclusive deal with Apple to sell the iPhone in Germany breaches national laws.
But rather than stop selling the device, T-Mobile said it would continue to sell a locked version for €399 or an unlocked version for €999.
Outlook 'strong' for M&A activity
The outlook for mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity looks strong going into next year, according to Ted Webb of IBI Corporate Finance.
Mr Webb told a gathering of business owners in Galway last night that about 100 deals had already been done this year, and in 2006, more than 70 per cent of such deals were worth more than €50 million.
Consumer code to be extended
The financial regulator outlined its plans to extend its consumer protection code to non-deposit taking lenders in its Strategic Plan 2008-2010, which was published yesterday. Among the other planned initiatives are the identification of financial products that need greater transparency.
Meade speaks on markets crisis
The problems in global financial markets may have been avoided if companies had listened more attentively to accountants and auditors, Financial Services Ombudsman Joe Meade said yesterday.
Mr Meade was addressing delegates at the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants' published accounts awards lunch. At the awards, which recognise excellence in financial reporting, Kingspan won the large quoted company prize. Airtricity took two prizes.
Carlow toolmaker posts first-half loss
Carlow-based toolmaker Oglesby & Butler posted a first-half loss of €30,000 compared with a profit of €70,000 in the same period last year after the weakening of the US dollar exacerbated difficult market conditions. It said conditions in the second half would remain tough.
Examiner for property firm
The High Court has appointed an examiner to a property development company involved in a major shopping centre and residential development in Portlaoise.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly appointed Ken Fennell of Kavanagh Fennell Chartered Accountants as examiner to Maryborough Construction Holdings Ltd, Birchgrove, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
