Ireland Maintains Lead in European Data Protection Enforcement
Ireland continues to hold its position as Europe’s most active data protection enforcer, according to the latest annual Data Breach Survey published by DLA Piper. Since the introduction of GDPR in May 2018, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has issued fines totalling €4.04 billion, placing it well ahead of all other EU regulators. The report shows […]
Wind Energy Ireland to Unveil Roadmap for an Irish ‘Electrostate’
Wind Energy Ireland is set to launch a new strategy at its 2026 Annual Conference in Dublin, outlining a proposed roadmap towards what it describes as an Irish “electrostate”. The concept centres on an energy system powered by secure, affordable, domestically produced clean electricity. Chief Executive Noel Cunniffe explained that an electrostate would deliver cleaner […]
Musk Floats Ryanair Takeover Idea Amid Escalating Dispute
Elon Musk has publicly raised the idea of acquiring Ryanair, as his ongoing dispute with the airline’s leadership continues to attract attention. The proposal surfaced through a poll posted on X, the platform owned by Mr Musk, where he asked followers whether he should buy the airline and reinstate “Ryan” as its leader. The comments […]
EU Leaders Address Davos as Trade Tensions with US Intensify
European leaders are taking an early lead at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, as renewed trade tensions with the United States cast a long shadow over the annual gathering. The focus is firmly on the prospect of new US tariffs, linked to an escalating dispute involving Greenland, which threatens to strain already […]
PTSB Reduces Fixed-Rate Mortgage Rates by up to 0.45%
Permanent TSB has announced further reductions to its fixed-rate mortgage offerings, cutting rates by as much as 0.45% across a range of products. The revised rates take effect immediately and are available to both new and existing personal customers. This marks the sixth round of fixed-rate mortgage reductions introduced by the bank since December 2023. […]
Gold Breaks Above $4,700 as Trade Tensions Drive Investors Toward Safe Havens
Gold prices surged to a new record today, moving beyond $4,700 per ounce for the first time, as renewed geopolitical tensions unsettled global markets and pushed investors toward traditional safe-haven assets. The rally comes amid fresh threats from US President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on European allies, reigniting fears of an escalation in […]
Ireland records strongest start-up year in 15 years, new data shows
Ireland experienced its most active year for new business formation in over a decade, with more than 26,500 companies registered in 2025. According to fresh analysis from CRIFVision-Net, this represents the highest annual total in 15 years and an 11% increase on the previous year. The data points to strong momentum across several key sectors. […]
Tourism Ireland sets sights on overseas visitor spend exceeding €10bn by 2031
Tourism Ireland has outlined plans to grow overseas tourism revenue to more than €10 billion a year by 2031, representing average annual growth of around 6%. The organisation views international visitors as a cornerstone of employment and economic activity across the island. Chief executive Alice Mansergh said overseas tourism continues to play a central role […]
Global billionaire wealth surges as inequality widens, new report finds
The combined wealth of billionaires worldwide increased by an estimated $2.5 trillion last year, according to new research from Oxfam. The findings were published to coincide with the opening of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and highlight the growing gap between the wealthiest individuals and the wider population. In Ireland, the report estimates that […]
ECB Signals Rate Stability as Long as Conditions Hold, Though US Risks Linger
The European Central Bank is unlikely to revisit interest rate changes in the short term if current economic trends remain intact, according to its chief economist Philip Lane. He cautioned, however, that external shocks, particularly any unexpected shift in US monetary policy, could disrupt what is currently a relatively stable outlook. The ECB has left […]
Ireland Showcases Housing Investment Potential at Major Global Property Event
Ireland is set to promote its residential development ambitions on the international stage by participating in a major global property conference in France this March. The aim is to attract domestic and overseas investment to help increase the supply of new homes. A broad Irish delegation will attend the event, bringing together Government representatives, State […]
Guidance Still Pending as New Retirement Law Nears Commencement
New legislation designed to support employees who wish to remain in work beyond their contractual retirement age has formally entered the statute books, although key guidance on how it will operate in practice has yet to be published. The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 was signed into law on 16 December and introduces a […]
PTSB reduces variable rates on State-backed retrofit loans
Permanent TSB has announced a reduction in its variable interest rates for homeowners borrowing under the Government-supported Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing household energy costs. The scheme allows eligible homeowners to borrow between €5,000 and €75,000 to fund retrofit works such as insulation upgrades, heating improvements or solar […]
UK economy posts stronger-than-forecast growth in November
The UK economy recorded a stronger-than-anticipated expansion in November, supported by a rebound in manufacturing activity and improved performance across key sectors. Official figures show that gross domestic product increased by 0.3% during the month, reversing a 0.1% contraction recorded in October. This outcome exceeded market expectations, with economists previously forecasting growth of 0.1%. A […]
Dollar dominance under pressure amid global shifts, analyst warns
The US dollar continues to hold its position as the world’s leading reserve currency, yet signs are emerging that its dominance is being steadily eroded. That view was outlined by Peter Brown, Managing Director of Bagot Investment Partners, who pointed to rising demand for alternative assets and growing structural concerns within the US economy. Speaking […]
Global unemployment set to remain steady, but quality of work remains a major concern
Global unemployment is expected to remain broadly unchanged through 2026, according to new analysis from the International Labour Organization. While this headline figure may appear reassuring, the organisation warns that apparent stability in labour markets is concealing deeper structural weaknesses, particularly around job quality, security and access to decent work. The ILO notes that the […]
Retirement beyond 66 increasingly viewed as a financial necessity for many workers
A growing proportion of workers in Ireland believe they will need to remain in employment well beyond the traditional retirement age in order to make ends meet, according to new research from Royal London Ireland. The latest Retirement Age Financial Feasibility Survey suggests that almost one in five workers expect they will not be able […]
Construction activity continues to decline, though signs of stabilisation emerge
Activity across Ireland’s construction sector declined again in December, marking the eighth consecutive month of contraction, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index from AIB. The survey shows that output fell across all major segments of the industry, including residential, commercial and civil engineering, though the pace of decline eased in each area. The headline […]