News

A major clampdown on uninsured drivers is to be implemented in a bid to tackle the rocketing cost of motor insurance. Gardaí are to get the technology to carry out roadside checks to see if drivers have insurance. There are about 150,000 drivers on the roads who have no insurance. Now a new database is […]

Motor insurance reforms being introduced by the Government will put the brakes on premium hikes, according to experts. But it will be the second half of the year before the changes start to have an impact. The Government’s working group on insurance costs will also help Dublin-quoted insurer FBD break even this year and return […]

Consumer sentiment has fallen to a 22 month low reflecting unease in the Irish consumer following the Brexit vote and the US presidential election. According to Tuesday’s survey by KBC Ireland and the ESRI, the monthly drop in sentiment was relatively modest – but enough to drive the index to its lowest level since February […]

The seismic shift in world and European politics following Brexit and the election of Donald Trump as 45th President of the United States has led to an environment of global political and economic uncertainty and challenging and uncertain times ahead for Irish businesses. 2016 has been a landmark and unprecendented year and Taoiseach Enda Kenny […]

Parliaments in six countries have opposed the European Commission’s proposals for a common tax base across the European Union, according to Irish MEP Brian Hayes. The Commission announced details of a planned common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) in October. The idea is to apply a universal tax code for all multinationals operating inside the […]

Some of the world’s biggest banks announce earnings this week, including JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America. There’ll also be focus on the US economy and how it fared during the busy Christmas shopping period. Sales at US retailers probably accelerated in December, highlighting robust holiday spending as 2016 drew to a close, […]

Pay rises, housing and tax are employees’ top priorities for 2017. Wage rises remain on the table despite concerns over Brexit and housing. Uncertainty surrounding Brexit and a Trump presidency have done little to dampen expectations of wage growth in Ireland for 2017. According to detailed research across companies and staff in areas such as […]

Young Irish people want to ditch their cash and cards and pay for things using Google, Facebook and Apple instead. Over half of us expect Ireland to become cashless in future, while three-quarters of those under 22 say they trust tech brands such as Facebook, Google and Apple to provide payment and financial services. The […]

Ireland will not be isolated by EU efforts to change the company tax rules, EU Commissioner Phil Hogan said. The commissioner, who has publicly supported the Brussels decision last August to demand €12bn in back taxes from the multinational Apple, said the fallout from that decision led to many misunderstandings about EU tax plans. “There […]

First-time buyers will drive Ireland’s property market in 2017 with the highest city price increases of 10pc predicted for Galway and Limerick. Agents expect a 6pc rise nationally, driven largely by new demand from first timers who are expected to be most active where new homes are available. That is thanks to the easing of […]