Top stories in the papers this week 13 – 19 August 2011

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Retailers' alarm on card fees after it emerged they will soar; Man remanded over cigarette haul; Overdue roll-out of smoky fuel ban ‘muddled and confusing’

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18 August 2011

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1. Retailers’ alarm on card fees after it emerged they will soar

RGDATA has called for an urgent meeting with the companies that process debit card payments after it emerged that fees for using new versions of the card will soar. The Irish Independent reports Laser debit cards are being replaced with new Visa ones. Under the Laser scheme, the interchange fee was just 4c, no matter how big the transaction, but this reaches up to 10c on a Visa debit card. RGDATA is pressing for better terms.

2. Man remanded over cigarette haul

A man was remanded in custody earlier this week after customs officers seized over 32,000 cigarettes at Dublin airport. The Irish Times reports the 40-year-old Northern Ireland resident – who is set to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday – was stopped and searched by customs officers after arriving on a flight from Dubai. He carried a haul of the Traditional brand cigarettes with an estimated retail value of €14,000 in two suitcases.

3. Overdue roll-out of smoky fuel ban ‘muddled and confusing’

The overdue roll-out of the smoky fuel ban in Ennis "has been muddled and confusing", according to local Green Party councillor Brian Meaney. The Irish Examiner reports that under the ban introduced earlier this month, it is illegal to market, sell or distribute bituminous, or "smoky" coal. Those found to be in breach can face fines of up to €500,000 from Clare County Council. The ban also applies to Athlone, Carlow and Clonmel.

4. Bruton plans to merge work rights agencies

A structure replacing five employment rights bodies has been proposed by Minister Richard Bruton. The Irish Times reports the Labour Relations Commission, Equality Tribunal, National Employment Rights Authority, Employment Appeals Tribunal and Labour Court could be replaced as they “cost too much for the taxpayer”. Bruton has set 16 September as the deadline for interested parties to submit their views on the proposal.

5. Nestle Ireland back in profit after restructuring

Nestle Ireland bounced back into the black last year with pre-tax profits of €703,000, following losses of €6.3m in the previous year. The Irish Examiner reports the company benefited from a decision to restructure the business in 2009. Turnover continues to be affected by some customers buying from different geographical regions, according to the group, although its market share nevertheless grew last year in the key focus categories.