A lack of skilled workers, access to affordable energy, and increasing labour costs are among the main challenges facing businesses across Europe, according to the Eurochambres Economic Survey for 2022. The European Association, of which Chambers Ireland is a member, represents over 20 million enterprises in Europe through 45 national members and a network of…
Average rents for residential properties were 6.8% higher in the third quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2020, according to the latest rental report from the website Daft.ie. The average asking price for monthly rent between July and September was €1,516. That is up 2.6% on the first quarter of this…
The body representing Irish SMEs has sharply criticised the UK’s threat to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, potentially over the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). In a letter to the British ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston, seen by RTÉ News, ISME’s chief executive Neil McDonnell said that since the…
The Taoiseach has said nothing is certain regarding the triggering of Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol by the British government and he warned of the dangers of self-fulfilling prophecies. Yesterday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said evidence suggests the British government is preparing to trigger Article 16 of the protocol. He warned…
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Stormont’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill will launch an initiative to bring together experts on both sides of the border to research how to address climate and biodiversity emergencies. Those involved with the All-Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network (AICBRN) say it will “significantly ramp up collaborative research activity.” The launch…
Unions have lodged a pay claim for a 3% increase for thousands of workers in the community and voluntary sector. SIPTU, Fórsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions are launching a campaign today to highlight precarious conditions in the area where the majority of workers are on fixed-term…
The Minister of the Environment, Climate, and Communications, Eamon Ryan, mentioned that the government needs to look at similar and potential measures for this year’s budget to support struggling fuel payers with bills due to rising energy costs. The increased energy costs depend on various international factors. Government to help those struggling with increasing fuel…
New figures from financial technology company Revolut show that spending soared on get-togethers and nights out as Covid-19 restrictions lifted in October. Consumer spending was up by 5% across the board last month and Revolut said that Irish people appear happy to kickstart the economic recovery by spending the additional savings many accumulated during lockdown….
Growth in construction activity accelerated in October, for the sixth month in a row, Ulster Bank’s latest Purchasing Managers’ Index shows. But construction firms said Brexit, Covid and shortages of delivery drivers and materials contributed to a record lengthening of delivery times and record growth in input costs. The Ulster Bank Construction PMI rose to…
Greta Thunberg famously asked “how dare you?” in a speech in 2019. The emotional question was followed by “we are at the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth”. In the movement towards climate action, is economic growth an opposing force? I asked…