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IDA chief: Brexit can help lure investment from UK

Brexit presents an opportunity for Ireland to win foreign direct investment (FDI) that would otherwise have gone to the UK, according to IDA boss Martin Shanahan. However, UBS chairman Axel Weber, formerly the head of Germany’s Central Bank, warned the World Economic Forum that a no-deal Brexit would have “real spillovers” for the global economy. […]

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Applicants for court-approved debt deals fall

There has been a fall in the number of people applying for court-approved debt deals. Around 1,000 people got an approved insolvency deal to keep them in their homes last year, a rise on the previous year, according to the Insolvency Service of Ireland. There has been a fall in the numbers being declared bankrupt. […]

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Sterling reaches 2-month high

Sterling jumped to a 2-month high against the euro after strong employment data suggested Britain’s labour market remained robust despite an economic slowdown ahead of Brexit. The pound slumped 7% in 2018 on Brexit concerns but it has started the year on the front foot with some investors viewing medium-term sterling valuations as decently priced. […]

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Buyer beware: How bargains being offered by supermarkets are often bad for your health

More than a third of products on special offer in Irish supermarkets are high in fat, sugar or salt, according to new research. Some 35pc of food and drink being sold at bargain prices was found to fall into this category. Worryingly, the balance is even further skewed in convenience stores where it is as […]

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Car loans top list as huge numbers of consumers plan to borrow from their credit union

Huge numbers of people say they plan to borrow from their credit union this year, is what is set to be a major boost for the lenders. They mostly want the money to buy cars, with mortgages, holidays and third-level education also featuring as reasons for borrowing. Consumers plan to borrow an average of €8,558, […]

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Fresh battle plan to lure UK tourists after Brexit

Tourism Ireland is set to unveil a new strategy to lure holidaymakers from the UK as it risks crashing out of the European Union with no deal and putting its economy in peril. Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons refused to be drawn on the details of the new battle plan, but said it would […]

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Don’t get left out in the cold: switching energy supplier could save you €260 a year

SWITCHING energy supplier is extremely quick and easy and it can all be done online in the space of a few minutes. There’s no need for any messy paperwork or to give 30 days’ notice to your current provider before cancelling. In fact you don’t even have to contact your current supplier to let them […]

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Sterling gains following May’s Brexit ‘Plan B’ statement

Sterling gained ground following British prime minister Theresa May’s comments that she would seek further concessions from the EU on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Britain’s pound had been volatile ahead of the statement, but later hit session highs against the US dollar after Mrs May promised to be more open with parliament in negotiating the […]

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‘Brexit anoraks say one thing, but the market says something else’

The political anoraks say one thing. Investors say another. That is how things are shaping up after a tumultuous week in British politics as Theresa May’s Brexit plan was shot down in flames. Arch Brexiteer Jacob Rees Mogg hosted a champagne party as his Grade II listed home following the bruising defeat of the May […]

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ECB rate hike to be delayed as recession risks rise again – poll

The European Central Bank is expected to wait until the fourth quarter to raise its deposit rate, later than thought just a month ago, according to economists in a Reuters poll. The poll also showed that the chances of a euro zone recession have grown. Reuters polls since June 2018 have predicted that after ending […]

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