Central Bank warns Govt Budget package ‘too large’
The Central Bank has warned the Government’s planned Budget package of €9.4bn of additional spending is “too large” and “unnecessary”. The bank said the “sharp increase” in Government expenditure would impact on the public finances. It also said there would be a larger underlying deficit than had been expected this year when one-off factors are […]
A guide to AI models: do you know your ChatGPT from your Grok?
Choosing an AI model to use means making a call between different ecosystems and tools based on issues of data, privacy, cost and trust Artificial intelligence has moved from novelty to necessity. The systems we once treated as party tricks are now drafting essays, analysing data, generating code and even advising governments. But there is […]
Bank of England set to leave interest rates unchanged
The Bank of England looks set to slow the £100 billion a year pace at which it reduces its government bond holdings following increased volatility in bond markets, while keeping its main interest rate on hold. Although the Bank of England views the pace of quantitative tightening as having little impact on the economy, the […]
UK inflation stable ahead of Bank of England rate call
British inflation held at 3.8% in August, remaining the highest of any major advanced economy, according to official data that underscores why investors believe the Bank of England is unlikely to cut interest rates again this year. High inflation is a problem for Britain’s government as well as the Bank of England. Finance minister Rachel […]
Planning permissions drop by 12.5% in second quarter of 2025 – CSO
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show a 12.5% fall in the total number of homes granted planning permission in the second quarter of this year, with approvals falling to 7,447 units from 8,513 units the same time last year. The CSO planning permission figures give an indication of future building activity. The CSO […]
Plan to block scam texts delayed over technical concerns
A plan to block suspected scam text messages has been delayed amid ongoing concerns over technical issues. The communications regulator, ComReg, launched a new system earlier this year which saw messages from unregistered sender IDs labelled as ‘likely scam’ from July. However, many phone users had raised concerns about legitimate text messages being incorrectly labelled […]
84% in Ireland worried about cost-of-living crisis, survey finds
A total of 84% of people in Ireland are worried about the cost-of-living crisis, while fewer than one in seven believe the Government is doing enough to address it. Almost half of 1,243 adults surveyed by Ipsos B&A for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) said they feared that they would not meet […]
ESB Group’s half year operating profits rise
ESB has reported operating profits of €424m for the six months to the end of June, a €5m increase on the same time last year, despite the impact of Storm Éowyn in January. The energy company said its half year profits after tax rose to €313m from €297.8m. The company said that Storm Éowyn resulted […]
44% of Irish food and agribusinesses have delayed investment due to uncertainty
Almost half of Irish food and Agribusinesses have delayed investment due to uncertainty, despite record optimism in the sector. The 2025 Food and Agribusiness Report, which is now in its 8th year, is based on the views of food and agribusiness leaders and is Ireland’s only dedicated sentiment tracker for the sector. The report is […]
26% of Irish adults don’t have retirement plan in place – CCPC
New research shows there has been in an increase in the number of Irish adults who do not have a retirement plan in place. The research from the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission found that one-in-four remain unprepared for retirement, up from one-in-five last year. A third of pension holders also regret not starting their […]
Are tariffs actually working for Donald Trump and the US?
President Trump’s confrontational approach to tariffs has dominated the transatlantic relationship since he returned to the White House in January. Following months of negotiations between EU and US officials, an agreement in principle was reached on 27 July in Scotland, with a follow-up “framework agreement” announced on 21 August. A costly trade war was averted, […]
Should young people make a will?
It’s unlikely young people in Ireland have ‘making a will’ as a priority in their lives. Only around one third of Irish adults have made a formal will, meaning most people don’t have one. But is it something young people should be considering? Contrary to popular opinion, making a will is not morbid, it is […]
Slowdown in headcount growth plans by Irish businesses – Ibec
There has been a fall in the proportion of companies planning to increase their headcount next year, according to a new survey from business group Ibec. The research shows that 37% of companies plan to increase headcount in 2026, down from 41% in 2025 and 45% in 2024. A total of 56% of respondents plan […]
Credit union loan book grows to record level
The combined loan book of Irish League of Credit Unions members reached its highest ever level of €6.24 billion, surpassing the previous record of €6.21 billion recorded in 2008. Mortgage lending played a big role, while new lending rules effective later this month are expected to have a significant impact. The ILCU represents 90% of […]
ECB holds rates unchanged, offers no clues about next move
The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged today as expected but offered no clues about its next move, even as investors continue to bet that more support will be needed as inflation dips below target next year. The ECB halved its key rate in the year to June but has been on hold at […]
Growth in SME sector holding in second quarter, says monitor
Two in five small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reported growth during the second quarter of the year, the highest level in over two years. The latest ‘All-Island Business Monitor’ shows more than half of SMEs remain stable, with contraction described as rare, as only 7% reported decline. The study shows that SME sentiment across the […]
ECB to hold rates again but keep door ajar to further easing
The European Central Bank is set to leave interest rates unchanged today as inflation remains in line with its target, but a fraught trade and political outlook means it will keep alive the prospect of further easing. The ECB halved its key rate to 2% in the year to June but has been on hold […]
Are we repeating mistakes of the global financial crisis with AI?
Opinion: If the current AI boom is in fact a bubble, I’m willing to bet that it won’t be the tech bros who pay the price I recently rewatched ‘The Big Short’. As an Oscar winning movie with a stellar cast and brilliant performances, especially from Steve Carrell and Christian Bale, it’s worth a watch […]