Archive for November 2025

European Union negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on a new framework aimed at reducing online payment fraud and improving consumer protection. The measures will place greater responsibility on banks and payment service providers, while also introducing new obligations for online platforms. Under the draft rules, payment service providers will be required to reimburse customers…

Ireland’s independent fiscal watchdog has raised concerns about the Government’s current approach to managing the public finances. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) argues that the State is becoming increasingly reliant on volatile corporation tax receipts while allowing expenditure to grow at a pace that could prove difficult to maintain. According to the council, the…

Bank of Ireland has outlined a new lending initiative that aims to make it easier for homeowners who wish to downsize. The bank plans to pilot the product in early 2026, and it will be open to all homeowners rather than being restricted to existing customers. The loan is part of a broader package of…

Ireland’s water regulator has issued a significant financial penalty to Uisce Éireann after the utility failed to meet a key commitment to reduce water leakage across the network. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) had set a target to cut leakage by 176 million litres between 2020 and 2024. According to the regulator’s latest…

A new survey of Ireland’s compliance community suggests that criminal groups are moving far more quickly than businesses or regulators in exploiting artificial intelligence for unlawful activity. According to the Compliance Institute, 77 percent of compliance professionals believe organisations and regulators are falling behind those engaged in cyber crime. A further 20 percent feel criminals…

Ireland’s independent fiscal watchdog has raised concerns about the Government’s current approach to public spending, cautioning that a growing reliance on volatile tax receipts is creating long-term risks for the State. According to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, strong corporation tax inflows from large multinational firms continue to boost the Exchequer. However, the proportion of…

Revolut has announced the completion of a major secondary share sale that places the company at a valuation of 75 billion dollars. This represents a significant uplift on last year’s valuation and reflects the pace at which the digital financial services provider continues to expand. The latest transaction attracted participation from a wide range of…

Irish Residential Properties REIT, one of the largest private landlords in the country, has reported continued strength in its rental portfolio, supported by high occupancy levels and a steady pipeline of asset sales. In its latest trading update covering the three months to the end of September, the company noted that portfolio occupancy reached 99.5…

Public debate often features high-profile comments from influential business figures. Some of these insights can be valuable. Others show how far the lived experience of the ultrarich has drifted from that of ordinary workers, households and SMEs. Many people point to investors such as Warren Buffett who advocate long term thinking, sustainable business models and…

A new nationwide survey suggests that most Irish businesses expect pension auto enrolment to place pressure on profitability once the scheme begins in 2026. The research, carried out by FRS Recruitment, indicates that many employers are planning price increases, recruitment freezes or reduced investment to manage the additional cost burden. According to the study, the…