Ryanair meets pilots; VHI eyes move for hospital; all change at Eir

Ryanair held a historic first meeting with unions representing pilots last night. Ryanair says it is interested in industrial peace even if the final bill for that is likely to be close to €100 million. The unions remain wary and were not assurred by the lack of written cvonfirmaiton of the new relationship. Barry O'Halloran has the details

And in our Bottom Line column, Cliff Taylor asks whether longtime CEO Michael O'Leary will find himself able to realign his management style to live with unions in his airline.

Private health insurer VHI is trying to get into the private hospital business, writes Martin Wall. A bid thought to be in the region of €100 million for the Denis O'Brien owned BeaconHospiutal was turned down in recent months but the insurer is still looking at alternative targets.

All change once again at Eir –- for the seventh time in less than two decades – as flamboyant French entrepreneur Xavier Niel is on the verge of taking a two-thirds stake in the business. Joe Brennan reports that ne of the existing shareholders will sell out in the dealk with the other tow seeing their holdings reduced.

Ryanair to meet other pilot unions

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Economic recovery being felt in people’s pockets

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Online video poised to overtake physical home entertainment market in Ireland

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VHI looking at purchase of private hospitals

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Motoring editor Michael McAleer reports on an offer by Irish car sharing company GoCar to tradein old or unused vehicles in exchange for credit to use its shared fleet.

And Fiona Walsh looks at the distinctly unfestive mood at retailer Toys R Us where close to 3,000 UK staff are unsure if their jobs will still be there after Christmas.