Author: splash

Annual rate of inflation up to 9.2% in October

The annual rate of inflation rose to 9.2% in October, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show today. This compares to an annual rate of 8.2% in September and marks the highest rate of inflation since June 1984 when inflation was 9.7%. The CSO noted that consumer prices have been rising on an annual […]

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Commission proposes changes to EU’s debt rules

The European Commission has proposed changes to the EU’s onerous debt rules that would allow member states to negotiate their own debt reduction path, using the carrot of more flexibility if governments introduce reforms and investment. The Irish Government is understood to be supportive of the measures. The new measures will form part of the […]

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Insurance policies could be impacted by exit of banks, Insurance Ireland warns

Insurers have urged customers of Ulster Bank and KBC Bank Ireland to be aware of the risks for their insurance and pension policies posed by the departure of the two lenders. Insurance Ireland said customers of the banks whose policies are paid by direct debit need to be sure to update the payment details and […]

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Personal loan drawdowns jump 12%, BPFI report reveals

Just over 47,000 personal loans were drawn down in the third quarter of this year, up over 12% in volume and 11% in value when compared to the same period last year. The figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) show that both the volume and value of drawdowns between July and September reached […]

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ECB to continue raising rates even as economy suffers

The European Central Bank will continue to raise borrowing costs even as the euro zone economy suffers because letting inflation stay high would be even more painful, two top ECB policymakers said today. The ECB has been raising interest rates at a record pace and steering investors towards more hikes ahead to bring double-digit inflation […]

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Overseas tourism to Ireland expected to reach 75% of 2019 figure

International travel has recovered quickly from the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, with overseas tourism to Ireland this year expected to reach 75% of the 2019 figures – a year which saw more than 11 million overseas visits to the island and revenue of nearly €6bn. Despite challenges, research in ten key markets shows the desire […]

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Wages rise at over three times their pre-pandemic rate, study finds

Wages are going up at more than three times their pre-pandemic rate across euro area countries, according to a new study published by the Central Bank. However, the study also finds that wage growth may have levelled off in some countries as employers face “an increasingly uncertain and deteriorating economic outlook”. Central Bank economist Reamonn […]

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Euro, sterling jump, dollar falters as market shifts to risk assets

Euro and sterling rose against the safe-haven US dollar today, supported by a risk-on sentiment across markets with European stocks rising on persistent hopes China will ease Covid restrictions. A survey showed today that investor morale in the euro zone improved in November, the first time it rose in three months, reflecting hopes that recent […]

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Agri-food exports hit €15.4 billion last year

Irish agri-food exports were worth €15.4 billion in 2021, an increase of 51% since 2012, new figures show today. Irish produce was exported to more than 180 countries with the largest export being dairy, which exceeded €5 billion for the third year in a row. Agri-food exports accounted for 9.5% of total goods exports from […]

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‘Positive response’ to second Eurogroup term – Donohoe

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said eurozone finance ministers have agreed that an election to appoint the president of the Eurogroup will take place on 5 December 5, with a deadline of 24 November for prospective candidates to put their names forward. Mr Donohoe said he was “very privileged” to have received the support […]

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