One more thing:Happy with the success of the G Hotel in Galway since its launch in November 2005, property developer Gerry Barrett is preparing to take the hip brand to Dublin and London.

It is understood that Barrett is planning to operate the G from the former Bow Street magistrates court and police station in London, which is he preparing to revamp as a luxury hotel.

He is also believed to be planning to bring the G to the Grand Canal docks area of Dublin.

Designed by Philip Treacy, the 101-bed G Hotel in Galway was a funky and brash new hotel concept, with its pink salon and purple-and-tan velvet furniture.

A similar model was launched by Barrett in Drogheda, Co Louth, and called the D Hotel.

It seems that the Galway native has now decided to take the G brand to a wider market on foot of the significant publicity and recognition it has received both at home and abroad.

No financial data is available for the G. Run by Monogram Hotels, its parent company is listed as Radical Properties, which includes other property and hotel investments owned by Barrett. Latest accounts for Radical Properties show it posted a pretax profit of €848,496 in 2005, while its "net worth" increased to €65.6 million from €42 million in the previous year.

Earlier this month, Radical filed a notice to become an unlimited company, a move that means it will no longer be obliged to file annual accounts.