Business News

Weaker US dollar creates additional hurdle for exporters

3rd July 2025

The US dollar has continued to weaken against the euro this week, presenting extra challenges for exporting firms. Having strengthened in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s election victory last year, the dollar has steadily slipped against the euro since the start of 2025. Compared to mid-January, the euro is currently up almost 15% against […]

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Further closures, jobs losses if VAT not reduced for food-led hospitality – RAI

3rd July 2025

The Restaurants Association of Ireland is warning of further closures and job losses if the VAT rate for food-led hospitality businesses is not reduced. The RAI said it is “essential” that the Government reinstates the 9% VAT rate, which is currently at 13.5%. The Government has pledged to reduce the rate. In its pre-budget submission, […]

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New ‘likely scam’ tag for texts comes into effect

3rd July 2025

A new ‘likely scam’ label will from today be added to text messages that users receive from companies or organisations that have not yet registered with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in a bid to protect mobile users from falling victim to scams. Any organisations that fail to register with ComReg will have any […]

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Water and electricity infrastructure need investment “at pace” to meet Government housing plans

2nd July 2025

Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks have told politicians on the Oireachtas Housing Committee that the electricity and water infrastructure needs investment “at pace” if it is to keep up with the Government’s plans to build 300,000 homes between now and 2029. The Uisce Éireann’s Asset Strategy Manager Angela Ryan said that it was “utterly critical” […]

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Euro zone inflation picks up to ECB target of 2%

2nd July 2025

Euro zone inflation edged up last month to the European Central Bank’s 2% target, confirming that the era of runaway prices is over and shifting policymaker focus to trade war-induced economic volatility. Inflation in the 20 nations sharing the euro currency crept up to 2% in June from 1.9% a month earlier, in line with […]

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EU states told not to expect stable trade relationship with US

2nd July 2025

EU member states have been warned not to expect a stable trade relationship with the United States, especially on the issue of European pharmaceutical exports, even if both sides reach an agreement in principle ahead of next Wednesday’s deadline, when a pause on the imposition of US tariffs expires. In Brussels yesterday, EU ambassadors were […]

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Central Bank chief warns Finance Minister of VAT ‘vulnerability’

1st July 2025

Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf has warned Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe about the vulnerability of VAT as a source of revenue, as the Government plans to cut the rate of the tax for the hospitality and retails sectors. The Coalition promised to change the tax for those sectors in the Programme for Government following […]

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Union leaders to debate four-day working week

1st July 2025

A four-day working week, pay, remote working and artificial intelligence (AI) will be among the topics debated at the biennial conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) which begins in Belfast today. More than 600 union representatives from across the island of Ireland are participating in the three-day conference. A motion from the […]

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EU meeting with Trump administration to avoid 50% tariffs

1st July 2025

The European Union’s Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič is flying to Washington today for talks with senior Trump administration officials ahead of next week’s deadline for a trade agreement that would be needed to avoid 50% tariffs placed on EU exports to the United States. On 2 April, US President Donald Trump imposed large, across-the-board […]

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Deal that reduced US tariffs on UK cars and aircraft parts comes into effect

30th June 2025

The trade deal signed between US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer lowering some tariffs on imports from Britain has come into effect, the British government said today. British car manufacturers will now be able to export to the US under a reduced 10% tariff quota from an earlier 27.5%, while the […]

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