Trade surplus drops by 12% in February – CSO
Trade surplus drops by 12% in February – CSO New preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office show the volume of exports decreased by €604m, or 4%, to stand at €13.22 billion in February compared with January. The CSO also said that imports increased by €265m, or 4%, to €6.925 billion. This resulted in a […]
EU gets green light for US trade talks
EU gets green light for US trade talks EU countries gave initial clearance yesterday to start formal trade talks with the United States, EU sources said, in a move designed, but not guaranteed, to smooth strained relations between the world’s two largest economies. The European Commission has sought clearance for two negotiating mandates – one […]
Ireland records the highest start-up figures in 13 years
Ireland records the highest start-up figures in 13 years An average of 71 companies were set up every day in Ireland during the first three months of 2019. This is despite Brexit uncertainty and concerns about a slowdown in the global economy. The largest number of companies was founded in the professional services sector, according […]
€8.6bn invested in Irish office space since 2013
€8.6bn invested in Irish office space since 2013 Almost €8.6 billion has been invested in Irish office property over the past six years, according to a report from Savills. It said that low interest rates and a rapid growth in services-based employment has driven demand for office space in Ireland, particularly in Dublin. The report […]
High costs pose threat to business competitiveness – NCC report
High costs pose threat to business competitiveness – NCC report The National Competitiveness Council has warned that rising rents, the increasing cost of labour, and a high marginal tax rate pose possible threats to the competitiveness of businesses in Ireland. Its Cost of Doing Business in Ireland report also cautions that above European Union average […]
Female board representation here passes 30% mark
Female board representation here passes 30% mark The gender composition of boards in Ireland has passed the 30% female representation level, a 7% increase since 2017. New research conducted by EY shows that the average gender composition of boards now comprises 31% women and 69% men. But in spite of the increase, just 35% of […]
Dublin 7th most expensive place in the world to build
Dublin 7th most expensive place in the world to build Dublin is the seventh most expensive place in the world to build, with average construction costs at $3,245.10 per metre squared, a new report shows. The International Construction Market Survey, from global professional services company Turner & Townsend, shows that San Francisco takes the top […]
Insurance fraud crisis is costing jobs, says top judge
Insurance fraud crisis is costing jobs, says top judge Former High Court president Nicholas Kearns has expressed frustration at the slow pace of insurance reform, saying the country risks reputational damage if the claims culture is not tackled. He is baffled that a dedicated Garda unit has not been set up to prosecute fraudsters, and […]
Safe-haven Euro zone bonds dented by Brexit but buffered by ECB
Safe-haven Euro zone bonds dented by Brexit but buffered by ECB Germany’s 10-year bond yield edged up on Thursday as a no-deal Brexit was avoided for now but held firmly below zero percent thanks to a signal from the European Central Bank that it will do all it can to fight low economic growth and […]
‘Technology can create more jobs than it eliminates,’ insists Varadkar as firm announces 600 new roles
‘Technology can create more jobs than it eliminates,’ insists Varadkar as firm announces 600 new roles Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has insisted new technology will create more jobs than it eliminates but says that up to 40pc of today’s jobs will be taken by robots in the future. Mr Varadkar was speaking in Limerick as American […]