The number of women elected to the 44-member national council of the small and medium enterprise lobby group, ISME, has doubled from two to four. Thirty-four members are based outside Dublin and 22 of the 26 counties are represented.

The association will elect a new chairperson at its annual general meeting in March. Among the candidates will be Mr Peter Faulkner, of Faulkner Export Packaging in Dublin, Ms Audrey Glynn (right), managing director, G&M Industrial Cleaning Products, Dublin and Mr Seamus Butler, of Butler Manufacturing Services, Longford.