European Central Bank expected to cut interest rates for seventh time in a year
The European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates by one-quarter of a percentage point later today. The development follows the latest inflation figures, for countries that use the euro, showing prices rose by 2.2% in March, down 0.1% on the February rate. It means the rise in the cost of living is […]
Annual house price growth slows to 8% in February – CSO
Residential property prices are up 8% in the 12 months to February 2025, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. It means the cost buying a home is continuing to accelerate, but at a marginally slower rate than it was during the previous 12 month period when prices rose by 8.2% in […]
Annual euro zone inflation eases 2.2% in March
New figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, show that euro area annual inflation fell to 2.2% in March from 2.3% in February. Euro zone inflation had stood at 2.4% in March of last year. Today’s figures show that the lowest annual rates of inflation were registered in France (0.9%), Denmark (1.4%), […]
Gas use increases in March as weather shifts and wind energy output falls
Overall gas demand in March rose by 13% compared to February, and by 4% compared to the same month last year, new figures from Gas Networks Ireland show today. Gas Network Ireland noted that gas demand in the transport sector increased by 90% year on year, reflecting a growing shift toward compressed natural gas (CNG) […]
Pharmaceutical exports jump by 146% in February – CSO
Preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office show that exports of medical and pharmaceutical products jumped by €9.2 billion, or 145.7%, to €15.6 billion in February on the same month last year. The CSO said this represented 63.2% of total exports in February, which underscores the significance of the pharmaceutical industry to the Irish economy. […]
Government urged not to overly delay pension auto-enrolment
The Government is being urged not to defer the deadline for auto-enrolment of workers into pension schemes beyond early 2026. The deadline is set to be pushed by beyond the current September date, in an effort to keep business costs low. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said it is expected to be a short […]
Calls for investigation into axed golden visa scheme
A golden visa scheme giving residency in Ireland and access to Europe has generated €500 million since it was axed by the Government two years ago. However the Government does not know how many “immigration permissions” it issued under the scheme. Figures relating to the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) were revealed to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland […]
Oil edges up on potential US tariff exemptions on cars
Oil prices inched higher today, supported by new tariff exemptions floated by US President Donald Trump and a rebound in China crude oil imports in anticipation of tighter Iranian supply. Brent crude futures gained 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $65.13 per barrel in early trade while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 28 cents, […]
Stronger economic growth in ROI compared to NI – study
The Republic of Ireland has higher wages, stronger economic growth and better living standards than Northern Ireland, according to a new study by the Economic and Social Research Institute. The report was commissioned by the Shared Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. It found the population of the Republic was growing faster than […]
Hybrid work critical for workplace wellness, survey finds
New research from Ibec shows that flexible or hybrid working arrangements remain a critical factor for employee workplace wellness. The survey of more than 1,000 people found that 68% of employees highlighted hybrid or flexible work as key to their wellbeing, with 35% saying they would be willing to leave a high-paying job for one […]
US exempts smartphones, computers from global tariffs
The US government has granted tariff exclusions for smartphones, computers and other electronics imported largely from China, sparing them from President Donald Trump’s steep 125% reciprocal duties. In a notice to shippers, the US Customs and Border Protection agency published a list of tariff codes that will be excluded from the duties. The exclusions are […]
EU should ‘be careful’ in tariff talks with US – Chambers
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said that the European Union needs “to be careful about what we put on the table” in tariff negotiations with the United States. Speaking RTÉ’s This Week, Mr Chambers said lowering tariffs between countries has been the basis of prosperity built over decades. “We want to preserve the […]
First time buyers struggling to save a deposit – PTSB research
A new survey of homeowners, renters and prospective buyers reveals a big jump in younger age groups saying they are considering applying for social housing in response to housing affordability concerns. PTSB’s latest Reflecting Ireland research shows that 46% of people who are in the market to buy a home are now considering applying for […]
Oil prices set to drop for a second week over US-China trade war concerns
Oil prices rose today after settling more than $2 a barrel lower in the previous session, but were set to drop for a second week in a row on concerns over a prolonged trade war between the US and China. Brent futures rose 90 cents, or 1.4%, to $64.23 a barrel this morning, while US […]
Annual inflation rises to 2% in March – CSO
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the country’s inflation rate rose to 2% on an annual basis in March compared to 1.8% a month earlier. This marked the first time that inflation has been at, or above, 2% since July 2024 when the rate of inflation was 2.2%. The CSO said that […]
Oil falls to lowest since February 2021 as Trump’s tariffs take effect
Oil prices fell for a fifth day to their lowest since February 2021 today on looming demand concerns fuelled by an escalating tariff war between the US and China, the world’s two biggest economies, and a rising supply outlook. Brent futures dropped $1.39, or 2.21%, to $61.43 a barrel early this morning. US West Texas […]
Stocks tumble again as US hits China with 104% tariffs
European and Asian stocks extended a slide on Wall Street this morning as President Donald Trump pressed ahead with whopping 104% tariffs on Chinese goods, pummelling oil prices to four-year lows as global recession fears gripped financial markets. London’s FTSE index had dropped 2.2% in opening trade, while the Paris CAC was down 2.8% and […]
Tariff supports have to be ‘sustainable’ – Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said any supports to help businesses affected by US tariffs needs to be “financially sustainable” in the medium and long-term. He was responding to calls for the introduction of a wage subsidy scheme in response to the tariffs. During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, Labour leader Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach […]