Euro zone to tighten fiscal policy in 2023, but ready to reverse amid Ukraine war
Euro zone finance ministers have agreed to tighten fiscal policy a little next year after three years of pumping billions into the economy due to the coronavirus pandemic, but also to be ready with more cash should the war in Ukraine make it necessary. “The fundamentals of the euro area economy are strong,” the ministers […]
Once-off fuel allowance payment to be paid to recipients this week
A once-off fuel allowance payment of €125 will be paid to recipients this week. The measure was announced last month as part of the Government package to tackle the rising cost of living. Fuel prices are one of the main drivers of rising inflation, while the war in Ukraine has also pushed costs higher. Last […]
Banks ‘not yet where they need to be’ ahead of Ulster Bank and KBC’s exit
The Central Bank’s Director of Consumer Protection has said he thinks banks here “are not yet where they need to be” in preparing for Ulster Bank and KBC’s exit from the Irish market. Colm Kincaid also said the Central Bank has an “appetite to intervene” where it considers necessary to do so if it is […]
Wage rises likely to add to construction cost pressures
Labour costs could be on course to rise in the construction industry as some firms in the sector report difficulties in recruiting staff. According to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index from BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland, wage pressures in the sector have remained “well contained” so far with 23,300 more construction workers being hired last […]
ECB speeds up stimulus exit and opens path to interest rate rise
The European Central Bank has scaled back its bond-buying stimulus plan in response to inflation being driven up by the war in Ukraine, while giving itself more flexibility on the timing of a potential interest rate rise this year. “The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a watershed for Europe,” the ECB said in a statement […]
Inflation hits highest level since 2001 in February, with more increases certain
The annual rate of inflation rose to 5.6% in February, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. This is the highest annual rate in almost 21 years. Today’s CSO figures show that the main contributor to inflation remains fuel and energy. Unfortunately, inflation is almost certain to climb higher because February’s figures […]
Fuel industry engaging in profiteering ‘simply not the case’
Fuels for Ireland, the industry body for fuel suppliers and retailers, has written to Taoiseach Mícheál Martin to express its members’ deep unhappiness at what it claims have been misleading statements about the sector. The organisation also said that comments made by Mr Martin suggesting the actions of the organisation’s members were morally reprehensible should […]
Irish mortgage rates see biggest rise in five years
New figures from the Central Bank show that Ireland had the second highest mortgage rates in the euro area in January, coming just after Greece. The Central Bank said the average interest rate on new Irish mortgages was 2.76% in January, up from 2.69% in December but down three basis points on the same time […]
Ireland ‘not in a position’ to place a cap on fuel prices
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said Ireland is not in a position to place a cap on rising fuel prices, as it is a country that must buy the majority of its own fuel. Asked about the prospect of price regulation – which has been called for by the Opposition and touted by the […]
Cut in petrol and diesel excise duty comes into effect
The price of petrol and diesel has been reduced since midnight. Late last night, the Dáil voted in favour of a cut in excise on petrol and diesel. The reduction is 20 cent per litre on petrol, 15 cent per litre on diesel and a cut of 2 cent per litre on green diesel. The […]
New codes of practice on pay inequality and workplace harassment
Two new statutory codes of practice have been launched to help eliminate pay inequality and tackle workplace harassment and sexual harassment. The measures were developed by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The new codes of practice, published in the week of International Women’s Day, set out the procedures and steps to ensure that […]
Euro catches a breath ahead of ECB meeting
The battered euro took a breather today ahead of this week’s European Central Bank meeting, while commodity currencies eased from recent peaks as investors reckoned war-driven surges in energy, grains and metals could crimp long-term demand. The euro hovered around $1.0913 in Asian trade, a modest recovery from Monday’s 22-month low of $1.0806. The euro […]
Plan to cut fuel excise duties to go before Dáil
It is expected that a proposal will go before the Dáil today that will cut fuel costs through a reduction in excise duties. The changes would then take effect from midnight if, as expected, the Dáil passes the financial resolution. Work was ongoing at the Department of Finance late last night on proposals to decrease […]
Pandemic Unemployment Payment reduced to €208 a week
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be reduced to €208 a week from today, in the next step in the winding down of the scheme. People who previously earned less than €151.50 per week will receive a payment of €150. The PUP was first introduced in March 2020 and at one stage it was paid at […]
Enhanced security for certain card payments introduced
Higher security standards for certain card payments have come into effect. The changes are part of the ongoing rollout of Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and relate to recurring card payments such as subscriptions where the cardholder’s details are retained for future use. From today, service providers and online retailers must process these payments in line […]
Investment drives euro zone Q4 GDP growth, employment up
Euro zone economic growth was driven mainly by investment and rising inventories over the last three months of 2021, as household consumption dropped because of another wave of Covid-19 infections. The European Union’s statistics office Eurostat confirmed its earlier estimates that gross domestic product in the 19 countries sharing the euro rose 0.3% on a […]
Is the banking system really ready for the ‘big switch’?
This week was a busy one in the Irish banking landscape as AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB all reported annual results for 2021. There were many angles arising – from a return to profits, to the resumption of dividends, and progress on the purchase of new assets, to the reduction of the State’s […]
Oil spikes to 2008 highs as US, Europe mull Russian oil import ban
Oil prices soared more than 9% today, touching their highest since 2008, as the US and European allies mull a Russian oil import ban and delays in the potential return of Iranian crude to global markets fuelled tight supply fears. Brent crude futures jumped $12.61, or 10.6%, to $130.72 a barrel early this morning. US […]