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European Union leaders meeting in Brussels tomorrow and on Friday to discuss Brexit will say that progress in talks with Britain is “still not sufficient” to seal a new trade deal, according to a draft summit decision seen by Reuters.  As the year-end deadline approaches to put in place a new relationship, the 27 national…

The Eurozone economy is facing a “tougher” period than in spring as the pandemic continues to heap pressure on members, according to former Central Bank of Ireland governor Philip Lane, now chief economist with the European Central Bank (ECB). But Mr Lane has insisted in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that the ECB…

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) may be extended beyond its end date of next April, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has suggested. Speaking in the Dáil, she said: “Nobody can predict the trajectory of the virus and it may well be that the payment will be needed beyond next April which is all the more…

The Government expects to run a budget deficit this year of just over €21bn or 6% of GDP.  This figure is lower than forecast, largely due to stronger tax receipts running 15% ahead of expectations.  The figures are contained in the White Paper, which lays out the public finances ahead of any decisions that may…

The first 50 of 300 community Broadband Connection Points (BCPs), that are being rolled out as part of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) have been connected. BCPs are public locations which have been selected to receive free high-speed connectivity in the first year of the NBP, to provide broadband to communities that don’t have it,…

The UK economy grew much more slowly than expected in August, setting back its recovery from the coronavirus lockdown. Much of what growth recorded in August was down to a one-off government restaurant subsidy programme, official data showed today.  UK gross domestic product rose by 2.1% from July, its slowest month-on-month increase since the economy…

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said that without accounting for policy measures in key areas, such as health and housing, the Budget estimates for next year will include an increase of approximately €3 billion in core expenditure. A further €9bn roughly will be needed for Covid related spending, Michael McGrath said, although…

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar is writing to every business in Ireland urging them to prepare for the change in relationship between Britain and the EU.  The letter has been sent to the roughly 225,000 businesses registered with the Companies Registration Office. In it, Leo Varadkar advises companies to get to…

The Government has admitted that its supply of social housing is only 35% of target due to the reduction in construction during Covid-19 restrictions. Opposition parties have described the figures as worse than expected with Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin saying they are “deeply disturbing”. Mr Ó Broin said, “The dramatic fall in output…

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has warned that another full-blown lockdown is “not inconceivable”, and that allocating further supports for the aviation sector will involve hard choices about priorities. Mr Ryan was addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks which was hearing submissions on the challenges facing the aviation sector. Representatives…