The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has officially opened a new Pakistani restaurant owned by businessman Sam Hussein at South William Street, Dublin 2. The Kyber Tandoori Restaurant has one of the highest specifications for an ethnic restaurant in Dublin. It occupies a building previously used as a wholesale fashion showroom.

Meanwhile, a new 20-bedroom hotel, the Portobello, at South Richmond Street, Dublin 2, is to be officially opened this evening by Mr Ahern. The three-star hotel is based on the Portobello bar, which has also been refurbished. MDM Taverns has invested £2 million in the redevelopment project. The Portobello Hotel & Bar stands on the original site of the Portobello Bridge Tavern, which was built in 1793.