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Exports of goods from Ireland fell 17% in September, compared to the same month of last year, driven in large part by a further sizeable drop in sales of pharmaceutical related products and electronics. In total, goods valued at just under €16 billion were exported during the month, compared to €19.4 billion in September of…

The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe has invited public service unions and staff representative associations to enter negotiations with the Government on a new public sector pay agreement. The talks will take place under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The current public sector pay deal, Building Momentum,…

The Government is to build a new floating gas storage facility for Liquified Natural Gas to use as a strategic emergency reserve in case of global supply disruptions. It is one of 28 actions included in its new and long-awaited energy security strategy launched today. The plan is to pay for the construction and operation…

A more discerning, occasion-led approach to dining out is likely to take hold next year, the latest Bord Bia annual Foodservice Market Insights report concludes. It comes against the backdrop of continued increases in consumer prices together with growing economic uncertainty, as well as a ‘rebalancing’ of consumer demand following a post-pandemic surge. Figures from…

The Central Bank has today published regulations and guidance for firms who have to comply with the Individual Accountability Framework (IAF). This is a set of rules governing the conduct of employees and executives in financial companies. It follows a three month consultation process. Derville Rowland, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank said: “As regulators,…

New figures from Kantar show that grocery inflation has fallen below 10% for the first time this year. Grocery inflation fell to 9.8% in the 12 weeks to October 29, down from 10.5% and marking the sixth month of falls in a row. Figures last week from the CSO showed that the annual rate of…

The fourth annual National Remote Working Survey has revealed that 44% of workers would change job, even if it means taking a pay cut, if their remote working preferences are not facilitated. This is an increase on the same finding in last year’s study, in which 30% of respondents said they would change jobs to…

New governance rules, which would see individuals being held accountable for willful wrongdoing in the financial sector, could stymie recruitment to senior executive positions within organisations, a survey of firms has found. The Individual Accountability Framework rules are being rolled out by the Central Bank and are due to come into operation over the coming…

Activity in the construction sector in Ireland slowed further last month. It is the fourth month in a row that activity has fallen. According to the BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index, the pace of decline was solid and faster than that seen in September. A further reduction in activity on housing…

Skills shortages and the retention of talent remain among the key challenges facing organisations, a survey of employers conducted by recruitment specialists, Hays Ireland, has concluded. Almost all of the firms surveyed – 94% – said they had faced skills shortages in 2023, up slightly from the 92% who gave the same response last year.…