News

Donohoe ‘extremely concerned’ over potential impact of tariffs

The Minister for Finance has said he is “extremely concerned” about the potential impact of proposed United States tariffs on pharmaceutical exports, warning they could deliver a major blow to Ireland’s economy. Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time programme, Paschal Donohoe said the Government is preparing for “real and significant” difficulties if US President Donald Trump […]

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Average first time buyers and mover purchase values hit record levels – BPFI

New figures from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland show that first time buyer and mover purchase values reached their highest levels on record at €322,050 and €375,495 respectively in February. Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland’s latest Mortgage Approvals Report shows that the number of mortgages approved rose by 0.7% month-on-month in February, but were […]

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Average price of second-hand home in Dublin nears €600,000

A new property survey for the first quarter of this year shows that the average price of a resale property in Dublin stands at €593,936, an increase of over €50,000 since the end of March 2024. The latest residential market review from estate agents DNG shows the average price of a resale property in Dublin […]

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ESRI says ‘clear need’ for reform of rent controls

The Economic and Social Research Institute has said there is a “clear need” for reform of rent controls. In its Quarterly Economic Commentary, the ESRI said the existing system causes frequent confusion regarding what increases landlords are permitted to implement. It said rents are not allowed to rise “in real terms” when account is taken […]

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‘Ireland was very smart’ – Trump cites pharma tariffs

US President Donald Trump has said the US will be introducing tariffs on pharmaceuticals, specifically citing Ireland among the countries where many pharmaceutical products are made. Speaking in the Oval Office last night, Mr Trump said the tariffs on pharmaceuticals are aimed at bringing the pharmaceutical industry back to the US, claiming the US does […]

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Deadline for Irish workers to top up UK pension looms

Thousands of Irish people who worked in the UK and paid the equivalent of our social insurance, could be entitled to access a British pension. More than 250,000 Irish people may be due to benefit from a significant pension boost, some of whom who have already applied could also be in a position to top […]

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Over half of complaints to FSPO in 2024 related to banking

Just over half (3,404) of the 6,185 complaints made to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) last year were about banking, with customer service and disputed transactions the main reasons for such complaints. Despite this, the 2024 FSPO Complaints Overview says the number of banking complaints was down by 12% on the previous year. […]

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Energy transition could generate €19 billion a year – SEAI

A new report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimates that Ireland’s energy transition will drive up to €19 billion per year of new business by 2030. It said Irish based companies have the potential to capture up to 42% of that amount. The report is being launched at the SEAI Energy Show […]

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ECB rates could fall to 2% by end of summer, Villeroy says

There is still room to lower European Central Bank interest rates further, and the 2.5% deposit rate could fall to 2% by the end of the summer, French central bank chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau told a German newspaper. The ECB has cut rates six times since last June but has given little guidance about […]

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Central Bank announces new consumer protection code

The Central Bank has published a new consumer protection code aimed at modernising the set of rules that businesses must abide by when dealing with consumers. The regulator said the code “reflects the way financial services are provided in a digital world”. It enhances consumer protections in areas such as digitalisation, mortgage switching, fraud and […]

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