Electricity Bills to Rise as Ireland Commits to Major Power Grid Investment
Electricity users across Ireland are set to see higher bills from next year as funding is put in place for a large-scale overhaul of the national electricity grid. Monthly increases are expected to range from €1 to as much as €1.75 before VAT, depending on how the investment programme progresses. While the individual increase may […]
EU Signals Possible Shift on 2035 Combustion Engine Ban Amid Industry Pressure
The European Commission is expected to outline proposals that could significantly alter the EU’s plan to phase out new petrol and diesel car sales from 2035. The move follows sustained lobbying from major member states, including Germany and Italy, alongside mounting pressure from European carmakers facing intense competition from US and Chinese manufacturers. While final […]
Christmas Dinner Costs Edge Higher as Shoppers Balance Value and Festive Treats
The cost of putting Christmas dinner on the table has risen slightly this year, according to new data from Worldpanel by Numerator. A traditional Christmas dinner for a family of four is estimated to cost €32.28, compared with €31.22 last year, reflecting modest but noticeable increases in seasonal food spending. While some everyday items such […]
EU Reconsiders 2035 Combustion Engine Ban Amid Industry Pressure
The European Commission is expected to signal a significant shift in its climate and transport policy, with plans to revise the EU’s effective ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. The move follows sustained lobbying from major member states, including Germany and Italy, alongside mounting pressure from European carmakers facing […]
ECB Expected to Pause Again as Debate Intensifies Over What Comes Next
The European Central Bank is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its meeting this week, marking a fourth consecutive pause as inflation remains broadly under control. While policy itself looks set to stay steady, disagreement is growing beneath the surface over where rates should head next. After a year of rate reductions, the […]
Global Shifts Reshape Markets, Bringing Fresh Risks and Opportunities for Investors
Market volatility and uncertainty look set to remain a defining feature of the investment landscape into 2026, according to investment specialists, with geopolitical change reshaping both risks and potential returns. The past year has been characterised by rising international tensions, trade disputes, tariffs and a growing trend towards economic isolation. These forces show little sign […]
Irish Economy Faces Slower Growth Outlook Over the Coming Decade
Ireland’s domestic economy is expected to record modest but steady growth over the next ten years, according to a new projection from the Economic and Social Research Institute. The research suggests annual growth of slightly over 2%, pointing to a period of stability rather than rapid expansion. The study assesses how the Irish economy may […]
Inflation Climbs to 21-Month High as Prices Continue to Rise
Ireland’s annual rate of consumer price inflation increased to 3.2% in November, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. This marks an acceleration from the 2.9% rate recorded in October and represents the highest annual inflation level since February 2024. The data shows that price pressures remain widespread across several sectors of […]
UK Economy Records Unexpected Contraction Ahead of Key Rate Decision
The UK economy recorded an unexpected decline in the three months to October, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. The data shows that gross domestic product fell by 0.1% over the August to October period, defying expectations of flat growth and reinforcing market expectations of an imminent interest rate cut by […]
Ireland Marks 40 Years Since Its First Mobile Phone Call
Ireland marks a significant technological milestone this week, celebrating four decades since the country’s first mobile phone call. The call, made on 11 December 1985, saw the then Minister for Communications, Jim Mitchell, ring broadcaster Pat Kenny for a light conversation that happened to signal the beginning of a new era in Irish telecommunications. Ireland […]
Planning Activity Rises as Third Quarter Permissions Jump Nearly 30 Percent
New figures from the Central Statistics Office indicate a notable uplift in planning activity, with permissions granted in the third quarter rising by 29.4 percent compared with the same period last year. This marks the strongest quarter of approvals since late 2023 and will likely be interpreted as an encouraging sign for future housing supply. […]
Irish Mortgage Rates Fall to Their Lowest Level in Over a Year
New data from the Central Bank shows that the average interest rate on new mortgages in Ireland fell to 3.56 percent at the end of October. This represents a slight monthly decrease and the lowest level recorded since March 2023. Although rates have eased, Ireland still ranks among the higher-cost mortgage markets in the euro […]
Can Willpower Really Curb Christmas Overspending?
Every December brings the same familiar pattern. Days grow darker, routines get busier, and spending climbs far faster than many households anticipate. Surveys indicate that Irish consumers spent close to €1,200 on average last Christmas, with a significant number dipping into savings or turning to borrowing to cover festive costs. The pressures of the season […]
Electric Flying Taxis Could Serve London Airports by 2028
Air travel in and out of London may look very different within the next few years. A UK aviation company has announced plans to introduce electric flying taxis for airport passengers as early as 2028, signalling a significant shift in short-distance air mobility. Vertical Aerospace is working toward regulatory approval for its new Valo aircraft, […]
Construction Sector Activity Continues to Contract in November
New figures from the latest AIB Purchasing Managers’ Index indicate that construction activity in Ireland declined again in November, marking the seventh consecutive month of contraction. The continued drop reflects persistent weakness in demand and a slowdown in new project inflows. The headline Construction Total Activity Index fell to 46.7 in November, down from 48.1 […]
Government measures improve financial viability of new apartment developments, according to SCSI analysis
A new assessment by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland indicates that recent policy changes have strengthened the financial viability of apartment construction. The study suggests that Government interventions introduced after a slowdown in apartment delivery have altered the economics of the sector in a noticeable way. Before any State assistance was applied, only two […]
CCPC reports declining competition across parts of Ireland’s services sector
A new analysis from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has highlighted a notable weakening of competitive pressures across several key segments of the Irish services sector. The findings form part of the CCPC’s State of Competition in Ireland programme, which is reviewing developments in non-financial services over a fifteen-year period from 2008 to 2022. […]
Construction sector activity continues to contract as demand weakens
Ireland’s construction industry recorded another month of declining activity in November, marking the seventh consecutive month of contraction, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index from AIB. The data signals ongoing pressure across the sector, with firms reporting a continued drop in new orders and subdued demand for building projects. The headline Construction Total Activity […]