News

China, US slash sweeping tariffs in trade war climbdown

14th May 2025

The United States and China have slashed sweeping tariffs on each others’ goods for 90 days, after a temporary ceasefire in a trade war that roiled global markets and international supply chains. The US and China agreed to drastically lower sky high tariffs in a deal that emerged from pivotal talks at the weekend in […]

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First Home Scheme extended to 2027, with €30m more in funding

14th May 2025

The Government has announced an additional €30m in funding and an extension to 2027 for the First Home Scheme (FHS). The scheme is a shared-equity initiative designed to help bridge the funding gap for eligible first-time buyers and other homebuyers between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home. Under the scheme […]

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Over 125,000 premises connected under National Broadband Plan

14th May 2025

National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP), has announced that over 125,000 premises across Ireland are now connected to its high-speed fibre broadband network. There are now 361,101 homes, farms and businesses that have been passed with NBI fibre out of the current target of 564,000. NBI said the […]

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US to cut ‘de minimis’ tariff on China shipments to 54% from 120%

13th May 2025

The US is to cut the low value “de minimis” tariff on China shipments to 54% from 120%, with a flat fee of $100 to remain, starting from May 14, modifying an earlier order imposed by Washington, a White House executive order has said. The move comes several hours after Beijing and Washington announced a […]

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New EVs licensed in April rose by 23% on last year – CSO

13th May 2025

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number of new electric vehicles licensed in April increased by 23% on the same time last year – rising to 1,783 from 1,444. This means the share of EVs among new private cars from January to April was 16% compared with 13% during the same […]

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Geopolitics the top concern for international banks here

13th May 2025

Nearly eight in ten international banks in Ireland say global political tensions could hit their business in the next five years. That’s according to a new report by the Federation of International Banks in Ireland (FIBI) and Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). FIBI represents more than 30 international banking and investment organisations – including […]

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Donohoe to attend Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings this week

12th May 2025

The Minister for Finance and President of the Eurogroup Paschal Donohoe is in Brussels this week to chair the Eurogroup meeting today and attend the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting tomorrow. At the Eurogroup meeting, Mrr Donohoe will update his colleagues on the latest developments at the recent IMF Spring meetings, including key […]

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ECB should keep steady hand, hold rates close to current levels, Schnabel says

12th May 2025

The European Central Bank should stop cutting borrowing costs as turmoil in the global economy is fuelling price pressures and inflation was at risk of exceeding the bank’s 2% target in the medium term, ECB board member Isabel Schnabel has said. The ECB cut interest rates seven times in the past year as inflation has […]

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Oil prices jump over 3% on US-China tariff reductions

12th May 2025

Oil prices rose more than $2 today after the US and China said they would ease some of their tariff measures, lifting market sentiment that the world’s two largest crude users may be moving toward resolving their trade dispute. Brent crude futures climbed $2.11, or 3.3%, to $64.14 a barrel this morning. US West Texas […]

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Annual inflation rate rises to 2.2% in April – CSO

9th May 2025

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that annual consumer prices rose to 2.2% in April from 2% a month earlier. The CSO said this marks the second month in a row where inflation has been at, or above, 2%. The CSO also said the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which strips out […]

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