I own a furniture business in Galway and I am experiencing difficulty in obtaining payment for a suite of furniture which I sold to a couple at a cost of € 5,000 over six months ago. I took a deposit of €1,500 at that time and the suite was then delivered to them. I have contacted the customers by telephone on at least three occasions looking for payment and at all times they have promised that they will pay at the end of the month. The last time I spoke to them was a month ago and I have heard nothing since. What can I do to make them pay?

The significant rise in the Live Register figures for May was a sharp reminder of the way our economy is changing. The total number on the Live Register has now increased by 30 per cent in just 12 months.

Galway City has come sixth in a ranking of Ireland's top 40 retail centres for consumer spending.

With the numbers of people on the live register on the increase, Marie Madden talks to Tony Barrett, Regional Director of FÁS, about the sectors that are set to suffer most from the economic downturn and how to stay afloat in the current business climate

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland remained strong in 2007, according to Ernst & Young's latest European Investment Monitor (EIM) published recently. The tenth annual survey revealed that in 2007 Ireland attracted 80 FDI projects, up from 74 in 2006.

Over a third of businesses in Ireland has been the target of criminal activity over the past 12 months, a survey by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has revealed.

Aer Arann's Head of Sales and Marketing, Colin Lewis, has been awarded the prize of Marketing Leader of the Year at the Marketing Institute's Annual Awards.

Galway Chamber, partnered by Galway County and City Enterprise Board and supported by Enterprise Ireland and Galway County Council, together with local chambers, is bringing free information evenings for entrepreneurs and small businesses to Galway towns over the next few weeks.

A new website aimed at helping consumers find the best savings options available in the market was launched recently.

The Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre, Oranmore is holding a huge party to celebrate ten years in business.