Category: Syndicated

The case for ‘digital first’ in Irish business

Companies in Ireland can unlock huge revenue potentials and establish the country as a digital powerhouse on the global stage. But only if leaders are more proactive in making the decision to go ‘digital first’. With European headquarters for Google, Facebook, Paypal, Microsoft, Yahoo and Apple in Dublin and Cork, digital is here. The value […]

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Housing drives jobs boost

Irish construction firms are taking on extra staff, pushing the sharpest rise in employment since February, according to Ulster Bank’s latest Construction PMI. Construction firms continued to record strong growth of activity last month, supported by a further sharp increase in new orders. Simon Barry, chief economist (RoI) at Ulster Bank, said whilst details across […]

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EU ramps up action against states over emission scandal

The European Union will take action against seven nations including Germany and Britain for failing to police car emissions rules, EU sources have said. It comes after the Volkswagen cheating scandal highlighted suspicious behaviour in the industry. Amid frustration in Brussels over nations’ responses to diesel vehicles flouting pollution limits, the European Commission is resorting […]

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Last-minute gift shopping? Top tips to avoid online Christmas present rip-offs

With less than two shopping weeks to Christmas, those leaving it late are in danger of being ripped off in the dash to buy gifts. “Traders can make a lot of their money on last-minute shoppers because the person is trying to get something as quickly as they can,” said Fergal O’Leary, member of the […]

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Credit unions give out more loans as member savings increase to €12bn

More people are taking out loans with credit unions, while there has been a rise in the amount of money saved with the member-owned institutions. The rise in lending comes after loan books shrunk during the worst of the downturn. Lending is seen as a key measure of the financial health of the sector, as […]

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Mobile bills now under €25 a month

Ireland is among the cheapest European countries for mobile bills but still ranks as too expensive for home broadband, Ireland’s telecoms watchdog has found. Comreg says that the average monthly mobile bill fell to €24.32, the first time it has sunk below €25 per month in Ireland. The watchdog’s latest report confirms that Ireland remains […]

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Ireland set to be Europe’s fastest-growing economy in 2016 after weathering initial Brexit fallout

The economy performed strongly in the months after the Brexit vote, official figures have revealed. The Central Statistics Office (CSO), whose incredible growth figures earlier in the year were branded “leprechaun economics”, showed Ireland is on course to have the fastest- growing economy in Europe this year. The value of all business in the country, […]

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Dublin fastest-growing airport as passenger numbers soar

DUBLIN Airport is now the fastest-growing major airport in Western Europe, according to latest figures from Eurostat. Latest statistics show that the capital’s airport is now the 12th most popular hub for arrivals and departures in the entire EU. Significantly, passenger numbers in Dublin grew by 15pc last year, making it by far the fastest-growing […]

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From today, you can swipe your phone instead of your debit card

Paying for items under €30 in shops can now be done by swiping your mobile phone against a contactless terminal. Google is launching Android Pay in Ireland today, meaning those with Samsung, Sony and other Android phones can now pay for items in stores by swiping their phones. The system will work anywhere that accepts […]

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Unemployment at half the level seen during worst of Crash

Unemployment in Ireland is now at its lowest level in almost eight years, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The latest data shows that the number of those on the live register has now more than halved since the peak of the crisis back in 2012, when unemployment hit a […]

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