Ulster Bank chief to stay on through first quarter of 2011

Outgoing chief executive of Ulster Bank Cormac McCarthy is expected to stay at his post through the first quarter of 2011 as Royal Bank of Scotland decides on his replacement.

McCarthy announced in July that he was stepping down voluntarily, but that he would stay until RBS found a successor.

It was widely believed he would leave by the end of the year, but industry sources said there is no sign of a new appointment yet. A spokeswoman for Ulster Bank said the search was ongoing.

Chief operating officer Senan Murphy and corporate markets chief Robert Gallagher have been touted as possible replacements. Sources said an appointment from RBS itself was also possible.

McCarthy spent 10 years with Ulster, having quickly risen through the ranks after the bank bought First Active. The lender has suffered very large loan losses since 2008.

Council queries Croke Park plan

Croke Park has been told to submit more details on plans to have rooftop walking tours and an abseiling and zipline platform at the stadium. But Dublin city council wants GAA HQ to supply more details on the visual impact of the proposal and details of what exactly the five viewing platforms will include.

High Court approves Trintech's US takeover

Dublin software company Trintech said the High Court has approved its takeover by US firm Spectrum Equity Investors.

The American company had offered the Trintech investors $3.30 for their shares in the company. Following the High Court's approval last Friday, investors will receive their payments at the end of the month. The deal valued the company about $100m. The company was valued at several billion dollars at the height of the technology boom a decade ago.

Shareholders gave their assent to the takeover last month despite the objection of some US investors.

Trintech employs about 170 people in Dublin. Few jobs are expected to be lost as a result of the takeover.

IBM plans change of use for Dublin manufacturing plant

IBM has applied to change more than 3,000 square metres of space at its manufacturing and testing facility in Damastown Industrial Park in Dublin 15 to office, call centre, business continuity and recovery use.

The company also wants to use some of the space for science and technology purposes. The facility measures more than 14,500 square metres in total.