Economy

'But imports continue to be a threat and the option to find alternative markets by exporting isn't a realistic one for all footwear firms.'  By MARIANNE HERON

The Fitzwilton experiment contributed nothing to the Irish economy but earned for its three promoters, Tony O'Reilly, Vincent Ferguson and Nicholas Leonard, £1. 4 million in capital gains alone in return for an initial investment of a mere £75,000.
By JAMES PRUFROCK

"Your Irishman is not an investor. He's a punter." By Giles Merrit

In the past few months, and in particular since the Ferenka dispute in Limerick, the Marine Port and General Workers Union has emerged as the media's No. 1 trade union bogeyman. But the truth behind the headlines is rarely as simple as the harassed subeditors would like to think. LIAM O'TOOLE analyses the recent history of the MPGWU and, in particular its 'troubled relations with the Irish Transport and General Workers Union.

THE RECENTLY announced £33.5 million loss by CIE in 1976 hardly surrprised taxpayers long used to heavy loss making by the company. The loss costs every man, woman and child in the country £11 a year and the cost to the taxpayer is £1 a week. '  By Sean D. Barrett

This month the Irish mass market place is due to be invaded by two British super hucksters. Albert Gubay opens the first of his discount supermarkets at Firhouse, with the promise of 12 more, and British Home Stores breaches the very heart of Dublin's shopping area on October 12th when its first Irish store opens on a prime site in O'Connell Street. Here Pamela Readhead and Lindy Naughton assess the effect of these two new arrivals ori Irish shopping patterns, and in particular on our own mass marketeers. By Pamela Readhead and Lindie Naughton .