Archive for April 2025
EU says it will enforce digital rules irrespective of CEO and location
The European Union is determined to enforce its full digital rule book no matter who is in charge of companies such as X, Meta, Apple and Tiktok or where they are based, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Politico. “That’s why we’ve opened cases against TikTok, X, Apple, Meta just to name a few.…
Read MoreAnnual euro zone inflation eases 2.2% in March
New figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, show that euro area annual inflation fell to 2.2% in March from 2.3% in February. Euro zone inflation had stood at 2.4% in March of last year. Today’s figures show that the lowest annual rates of inflation were registered in France (0.9%), Denmark (1.4%),…
Read MoreAnnual house price growth slows to 8% in February – CSO
Residential property prices are up 8% in the 12 months to February 2025, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. It means the cost buying a home is continuing to accelerate, but at a marginally slower rate than it was during the previous 12 month period when prices rose by 8.2% in…
Read MoreEuropean Central Bank expected to cut interest rates for seventh time in a year
The European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates by one-quarter of a percentage point later today. The development follows the latest inflation figures, for countries that use the euro, showing prices rose by 2.2% in March, down 0.1% on the February rate. It means the rise in the cost of living is…
Read MoreGovernment urged not to overly delay pension auto-enrolment
The Government is being urged not to defer the deadline for auto-enrolment of workers into pension schemes beyond early 2026. The deadline is set to be pushed by beyond the current September date, in an effort to keep business costs low. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said it is expected to be a short…
Read MorePharmaceutical exports jump by 146% in February – CSO
Preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office show that exports of medical and pharmaceutical products jumped by €9.2 billion, or 145.7%, to €15.6 billion in February on the same month last year. The CSO said this represented 63.2% of total exports in February, which underscores the significance of the pharmaceutical industry to the Irish economy.…
Read MoreGas use increases in March as weather shifts and wind energy output falls
Overall gas demand in March rose by 13% compared to February, and by 4% compared to the same month last year, new figures from Gas Networks Ireland show today. Gas Network Ireland noted that gas demand in the transport sector increased by 90% year on year, reflecting a growing shift toward compressed natural gas (CNG)…
Read MoreStronger economic growth in ROI compared to NI – study
The Republic of Ireland has higher wages, stronger economic growth and better living standards than Northern Ireland, according to a new study by the Economic and Social Research Institute. The report was commissioned by the Shared Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. It found the population of the Republic was growing faster than…
Read MoreOil edges up on potential US tariff exemptions on cars
Oil prices inched higher today, supported by new tariff exemptions floated by US President Donald Trump and a rebound in China crude oil imports in anticipation of tighter Iranian supply. Brent crude futures gained 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $65.13 per barrel in early trade while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 28 cents,…
Read MoreCalls for investigation into axed golden visa scheme
A golden visa scheme giving residency in Ireland and access to Europe has generated €500 million since it was axed by the Government two years ago. However the Government does not know how many “immigration permissions” it issued under the scheme. Figures relating to the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) were revealed to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland…
Read More