A rare dispute has erupted in the typically composed economics sector, featuring the central bank and the Economic and Social Research Institute in a heated disagreement. The conflict arose after the research institute accused the central bank of escalating property costs by loosening its mortgage regulations. Both entities have staunchly defended their stances, with the controversy remaining unresolved. The story is covered by Eoin Burke-Kennedy.
First-time property buyers have been compelled to search wider due to intense competition and the work from home trend in the post-pandemic period, according to an investigation by the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland. Full information on this is provided by Ian Curran.
Negotiations observed between Aer Lingus and the pilots’ union, Ialpa, have concluded without reaching a mutual understanding, implying a possible pilot strike to be on the horizon. Detailed coverage is provided by Emmet Malone.
Employers from Ireland and the UK have implored both governments to make cross-border work more accessible, thus avoiding tax and welfare infringements. The story is covered by Mark Hennesy.
The European Union’s hasty return to favouring national business subsides could unbalance the single market in favour of bigger nations.
A worker managing her IVF treatments feels alienated after appealing for assistance from her superiors. What should be her next step then?
Finance provider Flender Ireland is planning to expand its funding avenues after sorting out its parental and Revenue debt. Since 2016, it has loaned nearly €68 million to small enterprises. More information on this is provided by Joe Brennan.
The O’Gorman family-owned Irish retail group, Kilkenny Group, reported an operational profit last year, aided by the resurgence of trading in the post-Covid phase and the opening of new outlets. However, recent account filings indicate a trading deficit for the year until January 2023. These accounts have been reviewed by Ciaran Hancock.
Google’s Dave Burke, who is Irish, and has been managing the Android operating system, will be stepping down to invest his focus on AI and bio-related projects. Ciara O’Brien covers this news.
In this week’s business news, Emmet examines the effects of labour law amendments on employers and employees alike.
While it may not make front page news, providing loans to small enterprises is arguably the heartbeat of any economic climate. Gareth Graham, the head of Belfast Commercial Funding, is interviewed by Ian Curran about this.
John FitzGerald, in his opinion piece, contends that the EU’s instinctive recourse to national business support could warp the solo market to the advantage of larger nations and to the detriment of smaller ones like Ireland.
In a final note, Smurfit Kappa’s investors, a firm specialising in the production of cardboard boxes, alongside their US competitor WestRock, have shown support for a proposed merger worth more than $25 billion (€23 billion) at gatherings on Thursday. This endorsement clears the path for an agreement to establish the largest paper and packaging conglomerate globally. Joe attended this Dublin-based meeting.