In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

Barroso faces criticism from commissioners

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso is facing criticism from his own ranks over what some commissioners believe is a tendency to cave in too readily to pressure from big member states, particularly Germany and France.

Reservations about his leadership style broke into the open at a meeting of commissioners last week in Brussels.

The stand-off pitted the president against three leading economic liberals: Charlie McCreevy, the internal market commissioner, Peter Mandelson, trade commissioner, and Neelie Kroes, competition commissioner.

Mr McCreevy reportedly called on the president not to cut "secret deals" with large EU member states. He is also understood to have told Mr Barroso that the commission was in danger of losing its reputation for impartiality and warned of a backlash from smaller member states. - (Financial Times service)

Judgment on NIB director

Mr Justice Roderick Murphy in the High Court has reserved judgment on an application by the director of corporate enforcement for an order restraining a former executive director of National Irish Bank from involvement in the management of any company.

The office of the director is seeking the order against Barry Seymour (67), Buckinghamshire in England. Mr Seymour was executive director of NIB between April 1994 and July 1996. Mr Seymour has opposed the application.

The hearing concluded yesterday.

The application is based on the July 2004 findings of inspectors who investigated the affairs of NIB and National Irish Bank Financial Services over 10 years to 1998.

Qantas orders more A380s

Australian airline Qantas has ordered eight more A380 super jumbo aircraft from EADS subsidiary Airbus, taking its total order for the delay-hit 550- passenger plane to 20.

But despite a recent jump in sales by Airbus, as it placates disappointed A380 launch customers with contract extensions at attractive terms, rival Boeing is likely to end 2006 with more new orders than the European group for the first time since 2000.

The Qantas order follows a decision by Singapore Airlines on Wednesday to order nine additional A380 planes. - (Reuters)

Carbery spends $27m on Vanlab

Cork-headquartered Carbery is reported to have acquired US flavour company Vanlab for a sum thought to exceed $27 million (€20.51 million).

Carbery said that the acquisition would enable it to develop its position in the global flavours market, and in particular to strengthen its business in the US.

Vanlab is based in Rochester, operates in both the sweet and savoury segments of the flavouring market, but mainly produces vanilla flavouring.

Exploration licences sought

Lansdowne Oil and Gas has applied to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for successor authorisations for its licensing options in the Celtic Sea.

It has filed applications for standard exploration licences over parts of the areas held under licensing options 03/2 (Midleton), 03/6 (Rosscarbery) and 03/10 (East Kinsale). It has also filed an application to convert the Seven Heads oil licensing option (03/5) to a lease undertaking, to allow Lansdowne and its joint venture partners to continue to evaluate development options.

The company also said discussions were continuing with a number of companies that have expressed an interest in farming into one or more of the Lansdowne licences.