Irish Exchequer Returns deficit in first half of 2009 surges to €14.7 billion - - up from €5.6 billion in H1 2008

Markets News Afternoon: Johnson & Johnson in $1.5bn deal with Elan; Shares surge in Dublin but ISEQ in red; Stocks down sharply in Europe and US

Moody's downgrades Ireland's debt; Will monitor plans to cut public spending

US job loss of 467,000 in June higher than expected; Unemployment highest since 1983; Broad measure of unemployment rose to 16.5%

Trichet says ECB will begin purchase of €60 billion of covered bonds from next week