Two women are among three senior management appointments announced by the RDS. The appointments are part of a re-structuring prompted by the recent departure of the company's financial director and deputy chief executive, Mr Conor Dunne.

Two of the three positions are newly created by the company as it attempts to increase its conference business.

Ms Niamh Kelly becomes marketing manager as part of the company's plan to reach wider markets, such as Britain and Europe. Ms Kelly set up the RDS marketing department in 1993 and she will be joined by a full-time marketing assistant.

The other woman to be appointed is Ms Maura O'Farrell, who takes up the post of finance manager, after spending four years as a financial analyst with the company.

The RDS expects to announce a new financial controller to work with Ms O'Farrell, at the end of this month.

The third appointment is that of Mr Cian O'Colmain to the position of deputy chief executive (operations). He has been employed by the RDS since 1978 and previously held the position of premises and safety manager.

The main development taking place at the RDS at the moment is the re-furbishment of the East Hall, which will be offered as a new exhibition space.

This is the final part of the £4 million development plan drawn up by the company in 1994.

Ms Kelly said yesterday that marketing the RDS in the future would mean emphasising its convenient location, parking facilities and accessibility to the city centre.

Traditional events, such as the Horse Show, are now bringing in more revenue than ever, she said.

The RDS currently makes up to £4.5 million from commercial activities and she believes the growth in the number of hotels in Dublin can boost this.