BIG STORIES

Irish brewers and distillers navigate potential US tariffs, drawing on Brexit experience

Irish brewers and distillers navigate potential US tariffs, drawing on Brexit experience

Irish alcohol producers are preparing flexible strategies to counter potentially devastating tariffs from the United States, with many drawing on lessons learned during Brexit to maintain market access. Industry leaders are exploring multiple approaches, including pivoting to Asian markets and licensing recipes to US-based brewers, while simultaneously urging government intervention in EU trade negotiations. Taoiseach … Read more

Irish economy poised to withstand Trump tariffs despite global slowdown risks, Davy reports

Irish economy poised to withstand Trump tariffs despite global slowdown risks, Davy reports

Ireland is well equipped to weather the latest external shock—the imposition of tariffs by US President Donald Trump, according to a new report from stockbrokers Davy. The report highlighted that Trump’s tariff policies have disrupted global trade and heightened uncertainty, with potential repercussions including a US recession and a slowdown in global economic growth. While … Read more

Tánaiste: Airbnb not being forced out as government plans new short-term let regulations

Tánaiste: Airbnb not being forced out as government plans new short-term let regulations

The Government is not attempting to force Airbnb from Ireland, Tánaiste Simon Harris has insisted, despite plans for a significant crackdown on long-term tourist rentals in larger towns and cities. Harris emphasized that Ireland is in a “housing emergency” that requires all possible solutions, including regulation of short-term lets. “There’s a place for Airbnb. There’s … Read more

Breathalyser kiosk data reveals dangerous gap in alcohol awareness

Breathalyser kiosk data reveals dangerous gap in alcohol awareness

New survey results from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have revealed a concerning trend among drivers, with nearly half of those who tested their alcohol levels mistakenly believing they were under the legal limit. The findings emerge from a six-month RSA pilot programme that ran from August 2024 to February 2025, which deployed Flinebox breathalyser … Read more

Only half of fathers take paternity leave, with income concerns a ‘significant barrier’

New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has revealed that only about half of Irish fathers avail of paternity leave, with financial concerns emerging as a major obstacle to higher take-up rates. The study found a stark contrast in the use of parents’ … Read more

Concerns over student accommodation as 2,500 beds used for refugees may drive up rents

Concerns over student accommodation as 2,500 beds used for refugees may drive up rents

Government officials have expressed serious concerns that students could face “significantly increased rents” if more than 2,500 student accommodation beds currently housing international protection applicants are not promptly returned to the market. Documents obtained by the Irish Examiner through Freedom of Information requests reveal that as of August last year, 2,538 student beds were under … Read more

Pensions law loophole allowed wealthy to 'wipe out tax liability', revenue paper reveals

Pensions law loophole allowed wealthy to ‘wipe out tax liability’, revenue paper reveals

A confidential Revenue paper has exposed a major loophole in Ireland’s pensions legislation that enabled wealthy individuals to effectively eliminate their tax burdens through strategic pension contributions. The internal report, prepared by a Revenue official in 2023, detailed how the 2022 Finance Act inadvertently created several tax avoidance opportunities by breaking the traditional link between … Read more

New driving test centre planned for South Dublin as Tallaght waiting lists soar

New driving test centre planned for South Dublin as Tallaght waiting lists soar

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed plans to open an additional driving test centre in South Dublin to address growing backlogs in the region. An RSA spokesperson told The Journal that the authority is actively searching for a suitable facility, with the location to be determined based on service demand, proximity to existing test … Read more

Irish pharmaceutical sector avoids US tariffs — for now

Irish pharmaceutical sector avoids US tariffs — for now

Ireland’s pharmaceutical industry seems to have escaped a new 20 per cent US tariff on European Union goods, though future trade barriers remain a concern. US President Donald Trump has introduced a minimum 10 per cent tariff on all imports, with higher rates—such as a 20 per cent tax on EU goods—taking effect from April … Read more

Spring Covid-19 booster programme begins for vulnerable groups

Spring Covid-19 booster programme begins for vulnerable groups

The HSE has launched its spring Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, targeting those most at risk of severe illness. The free vaccines will be available through participating GPs and pharmacists, while children under 12 can receive their doses at community vaccination clinics. Eligible groups include people aged 80 and old, immunocompromised individuals aged six months and … Read more

Tony’s Chocolonely recalls batches of bar over possible stone contamination

Tony’s Chocolonely recalls batches of bar over possible stone contamination

Specific batches of Tony’s Chocolonely Dark Almond Sea Salt (180g) have been recalled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) due to the possible presence of small stones. The recall affects bars with batch numbers 162633 and 162614, carrying a best before date of February 28, 2026. Consumers are advised not to eat the … Read more

Insurance premium hikes 'impossible to justify' as injury claims remain below pre-covid levels

Insurance premium hikes ‘impossible to justify’ as injury claims remain below pre-covid levels

Insurance reform advocates have challenged the industry’s justification for raising premiums, as new data reveals personal injury claims remain significantly lower than pre-pandemic figures. According to the latest report from the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB), while personal injury claims increased marginally by 1% to 20,318 last year, this figure still represents a 35% reduction compared … Read more

Tourism industry contests CSO figures showing sharp decline in overseas visitors

Tourism industry contests CSO figures showing sharp decline in overseas visitors

Ireland’s tourism sector has questioned the Central Statistics Office’s data indicating a significant drop in foreign visitors, as industry groups claim the official figures may overstate the decline. The CSO recently reported that 304,300 foreign visitors traveled to Ireland in February 2025, representing a dramatic 30% decrease from the 433,300 recorded in February 2024. However, … Read more