Economy surges ahead boosted by strong exports
The economy picked-up steam considerably in the first three months of the year led by strong exports.
But personal spending fell fractionally in the first quarter, painting a conflicting picture of the recovery as separate data has shown retail sales are on the rise.
The Central Statistics Office announced revisions to how growth is calculated and said the economy grew by 0.2pc last year.
Big property deals surge to highest ever level
Investors spent more money on big commercial property deals in the first six months of this year than in any previous six-month period, as buyers continued to flood the market.
Research from property firm CBRE claims that more than €1.37bn was invested in the Irish market between January and June on transactions of more than €1bn.
That is the highest six-month figure on record, higher even than the peak of …
BoI bans trade with Cuba after US ruling
The Irish Independent has seen correspondence from the lender written to long-standing customers with legitimate business interests in Cuba telling them it can no longer process international transactions to or from the Caribbean island.
The ban comes as French bank BNP Paribas was hit with a $9bn (€6.5bn) fine by the US amid allegations it violated US sanctions involving Cuba, Iran and Sudan. advertisement
Bank of Ireland has a tie-up …
Diverting from planned road map to cut deficit has risks
According to opinion polls, there is even a gender distinction of this kind in attitudes to fiscal policy – which, of course, is what we are talking about.
Having once put the car in a ditch while taking the scenic route, perhaps I am biased towards the side of caution in such matters as well. advertisement
The one thing we can all agree upon is that, when Michael Noonan finishes …
Top Central Bank economist calls for 1c and 2c coins to be dumped
Speaking to the Herald, Ronnie O’Toole, economist with the National Payments Plan (NPP) in the Central Bank of Ireland, said the recent Wexford rounding trial should be rolled out nationally.
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The results of the trial last year showed strong support for getting rid of the coins.
During the experiment, retailers rounded cash transactions to the nearest 5c at the cash register, removing the need for 1c and 2c coins.
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