The 1999 Young Business Writers Awards were presented by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt, in Dublin City University yesterday.

The awards, which are sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, organised by the DCU Business School and the Business Studies Teachers' Association of Ireland, and supported by The Irish Times, aim to encourage and develop writing skills among third-level, senior and junior-level students.

"In a rapidly changing business environment, as now exists in Dublin, information alone is not enough," Mr Patrick Waldron, head of marketing at Bank of Ireland, said at the awards.

"What is also required is an ability to communicate that information in a precise and convincing manner that builds increased confidence in the company."

Awards were presented to the following:

Third Level - First Prize: Mr Phadraig Fox, Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD; Second Prize, Mr Emmet Lynch, Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD. Runners-up: Ms Aoife Kilpatrick, Trinity College, Dublin; Mr Daniel Keane, DCU; Mr Michael Jennings, Trinity College, Dublin.

Second Level - First Prize: Mr Darren Snow, St Gerard's School, Bray; Second Prize, Mr Shane Kelly, Presentation College, Bray; Runners up: Ms Thomasina Olwill, Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co Meath; Ms Elizabeth O'Dea, St Leo's College, Carlow; Mr Shane Dennehy, CBS, Synge St, Dublin.

Junior School Level: First Prize: Ms Michelle Fannon, Mercy Secondary School, Roscommon; Second Prize: Ms Christina Hughes, St Joseph of Cluny. Runners-up: Ms Niamh Cronin, Our Lady's School, Rathnew; Ms Eimer Cashin, Loreto, Kilkenny; and Ms Niamh McCormack, St Mary's Holy Faith, Killester.