Business News

Faster housing delivery could mitigate impact of tariffs

Faster housing delivery could mitigate the impact of tariffs, according to the latest report from Davy. Updated forecasts from the Department of Finance show that economic growth will slow next year due to US tariffs. Davy believe that this presents a compelling rationale for the Government to use all available levers to accelerate housing and

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Motor insurance costs rose by 9% in first half of last year

The average cost of a motor insurance policy increased by 9% (€49) during the first half of last year, when compared with the first six months in 2023. Latest figures from the Central Bank’s National Claims Information Database show that the average premium increased from €567 to €616 over the period. This compares with an

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US, Chinese officials to hold trade talks in Switzerland

Senior US and Chinese officials will travel to Switzerland later this week to kickstart stalled trade talks following US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff rollout, according to statements from both countries. The talks mark the first official public engagement between the world’s two largest economies to resolve a trade war escalated by Mr Trump shortly

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Tax take to end of April up 15% on same time last year

Tax receipts for the first four months of the year are up 15.3% on the same time last year, the latest Exchequer Returns from the Department of Finance show. Today’s figures show that the tax take reached €28.6 billion at the end of April. When once-off tax revenues from the Apple tax case are excluded,

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Services sector growth slows in April amid trade concerns, PMI shows

Growth in the country’s services sector slowed in April to its lowest level in over a year as international trade tensions weighed on business sentiment, a survey shows today. The AIB Global S&P Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 52.8 in April from 55.3 in March, still above the 50 level that separates growth from

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Department of Finance’s economic forecasts to take US tariffs into account

The Department of Finance will publish economic forecasts for Ireland to take account of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in the United States. The document will be brought to a meeting of the Cabinet and launched by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. The forecasts set out two

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Enterprise Minister to urge agencies to cut red tape for SMEs

Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke is to meet with the heads of 19 agencies and offices under his remit to instruct them to reflect on their processes and the obligations they put on small businesses. They will be called on to significantly simplify their policies, slash red tape and make any forms or statutory applications

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New electric car registrations up 25.5% so far this year – SIMI

New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that new car registrations rose by 1.9% in April, while registration of battery electric cars jumped by 23.7%. SIMI said that new car registrations rose to 8,731 in April compared to April last year. Registrations so far this year are up 3.4% to 73,505

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China mulls US trade talks offer, warns not to engage in tariff ‘extortion’

Beijing is “evaluating” an offer from Washington to hold talks over US President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs, China’s Commerce Ministry has said, although it warned the United States not to engage in “extortion and coercion”. Washington and Beijing have been locked in a cat-and-mouse game over tariffs, with both sides unwilling to be seen to

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Small and medium firms investing less post pandemic, ESRI report shows

The scarring effects of the pandemic has resulted in small and medium firms investing less in their businesses, according to the Economic and Social Research Institute. It found nearly 60% of enterprises invested in capital in 2023 compared to 64% before the Covid-19. At the same time there was a significant fall in funds allocated

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