A Government Minister wants lower property tax rates for those in affluent areas. The Local Property Tax (LPT) was based on valuations of house prices after the economic slump. Those valuations expire later this year and the property market recovery could leave families facing €500 tax hikes. Culture Minister Josepha Madigan, a rising star within […]

Investment by Chinese companies here has surged more than 200pc over the past year, amid trade tensions between Beijing and Washington, while Irish companies are seeking a greater foothold in the world’s fastest-growing major economy. According to analysis from consultants Baker McKenzie and Rhodium Group, completed Chinese investment here hit $100m (€87m) in 2018. The […]

The AA’s monthly fuel prices survey found that the average cost of a litre of petrol hit a 16 month low in January. The AA said the average cost of a litre of petrol is 132.9 cent – the lowest level since August 2017 – and down from 136.9 cent in December 2018. Diesel costs […]

AIB has called on the Government to level the playing field between private landlords and their institutional counterparts. The State-owned bank also urged Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to extend the help-to-buy scheme beyond 2019 as soon as possible to avoid an “inevitable scramble” by prospective buyers ahead of October’s budget. In its second annual report […]

Investor pessimism is high this New Year. The dismal performance of a number of stock markets in 2018 disappointed many. Trade wars, Brexit and rising interest rates weighed heavily on investors’ minds – and continue to do so. One of the biggest concerns on investors’ minds today though is whether or not we’re on the […]