In Short

A round-up of today's business news stories in brief

Ryanair and PR firm part ways

Ryanair has parted company with Murray Consultants, the public relations agency that has represented the airline since before its stock market flotation in 1997.

The two groups yesterday said they had agreed to part on an “amicable and mutually agreed basis” from the end of this month as they were unable to agree terms on a renewal of the contract.

Michael O’Leary thanked Murray for its long service. “We part on the best of terms and with much regret,” he said. “Now is an opportune time to invite other communications firms to tender for Ryanair’s business in Ireland and the UK.”

Murray director Pauline McAlester said: “We thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of providing counsel given the diverse and exciting nature of Ryanair’s growth from a modest Irish operation to become the world’s largest international scheduled airline.”

30% increase in overseas Dubarry sales

A 30 per cent increase in overseas sales by Dubarry last year offset a 25 per cent drop in sales in Ireland, says group marketing director Michael Walsh.

The Galway-based footwear and leisurewear company saw pre-tax profits fall 11 per cent to €1.7 million in the 12 months to November 30th, according to accounts filed for its holding company Glentawn Investments.

The lower profit came despite a 4 per cent rise in turnover to €16 million.

Mr Walsh yesterday attributed the lower profits to adverse currency exposure and the €500,000 investment in building up recently acquired distribution businesses in Britain and the US.

Exports accounted for 70 per cent of sales, in line with recent company strategy but Irish sales have improved this year, he said.

Goods through Irish ports down 18%

The volume of goods handled at Irish ports fell 18 per cent last year, according to the Central Statistics Office.

Almost 42 million tonnes of goods went through the ports in 2009, compared with just over 51 million in 2008. The volume of goods received fell 19.5 per cent, while goods being forwarded through the port decreased 14.5 per cent.

The number of vessels arriving at the ports also fell during the year, down 10.2 per cent to 13,233.

Imports accounted through the year for the majority of the total tonnage of goods handled, at 69.3 per cent.

The fall in traffic was across all sectors, with break bulk and other goods traffic declining 47.5 per cent in the year, roll-on/roll-off traffic down 9.5 per cent and lift-on/ lift-off traffic by 15.6 per cent.

The substantial decline in bulk traffic can be attributed in part to the weakness in the construction industry.