Category: Syndicated

Growth in service sector picks up as restrictions lift

Growth in the country’s service sector picked up strongly in February, as the recovery from the pandemic gained momentum following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. The AIB Services PMI rose sharply to 61.8 from 56.2 in January and 55.4 in December. Readings above 50 indicate overall rises in activity. The latest reading signalled the fastest […]

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Euro zone inflation soars to new high of 5.8%

Euro zone inflation soared to another record high last month, intensifying a policy dilemma for the European Central Bank, which must convey a sense of calm amid war-related market turmoil but also respond to mounting price pressures. Inflation in the 19 countries sharing the euro accelerated to 5.8% from 5.1% in January, beating expectations for […]

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Oil spikes to 7-year high as markets avoid Russian supply

Oil prices surged to seven-year highs today as supply disruption fears mounted following hefty sanctions on Russian banks amid the intensifying Ukraine conflict,. Traders are scrambling to seek alternative oil sources in an already tight market. Brent crude futures gained $5.30, or 5%, to $110.23 a barrel in early trade, a level last seen in […]

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Unions and employers to give their views on remote working

Groups representing trade unions and employers will address the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment on new remote working legislation. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and business group Ibec will appear before the committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to give their views on the Right to Request Remote Working Bill. Details […]

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Wage support rates to be reduced further from today

Subsidy rates for the Government’s Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) are to be cut further from today. The changes will mean that all rates will be reduced to €100 per employee from now until 30 April. At that point the EWSS will end completely. However, those businesses who were directly impacted by the restrictions announced […]

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Manufacturing grows in February sees slowest pace in 11 months – PMI

The country’s manufacturing sector expanded at the slowest pace in 11 months in February as growth in output, new orders and employment all eased, a survey showed today. But growth still remained at an “elevated level” in historical terms and those surveyed expressed confidence about their output over the coming 12 months. The AIB IHS […]

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Residential commencements last year topped 2019 levels

Residential development commencements jumped 40% last year compared with 2020, and were 19% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019 – according to new figures from Deloitte Ireland. The data shows that commencement notices were lodged on 24,304 units last year, in residential schemes of more than 20 units. However, Deloitte estimates that around 6,000 units […]

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Tough sanctions on Russia knock 2% off European stocks

European stocks sank this morning as Western countries imposed tough new sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, while soaring oil prices fed into fears of runaway inflation. Shares in London were down 1%, while the Paris and Frankfurt markets were 2% lower in early trade. The Dublin market opened 0.7% lower this morning […]

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Mask mandate comes to an end as most restrictions lifted

The wearing of masks in retail settings and on public transport is no longer mandatory from today. Close contact rules have also changed for everyone, except healthcare workers. Public health measures in schools – such and masks, pods and staggered arrival times – have also come to an end. The move comes almost two years […]

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EC invites comments on proposed insurance data remedies

The European Commission is inviting comments on the commitments offered by Insurance Ireland to address competition concerns around access to a data sharing platform which the insurance body runs. EU competition regulators announced last summer that they had formed the preliminary view after a two-year investigation that Insurance Ireland breached competition rules in the motor […]

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