Getting a third party into government turns on key economic issues A different emphasis on economic policy agenda is in store depending on which coalition route is chosen by Fine Gael and Fianna FáilMon Dec 02 2024 - 00:00
Five things on the next minister for finance’s to do listIreland is an ‘unbelievably rich’ country with the infrastructure of a poor one. And dark clouds are gathering on the horizonSun Dec 01 2024 - 07:05
If our finances go flat, how will Ireland pay its bills? Ireland’s tax take has been soaring, but if revenues from big multinationals fall off it is important to know what leeway is there to help take the hitThu Nov 28 2024 - 11:55
There’s one question which none of the political parties want to answerWhen Labour is preaching prudence, you know we’ve got a problemSat Nov 23 2024 - 07:00
Costing the election manifestos: Making sense of the billions being thrown out by parties to win your voteSinn Féin, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have both similarities and key differences in their spending plans - but will any of them be able to afford to keep their promises?Sat Nov 23 2024 - 06:00
Cliff Taylor: The key decisions which will determine how much Trump's policies will damage IrelandThe president-elect faces big calls on his high tariff agenda, with many key advisers calling for early moves to lay down a markerThu Nov 21 2024 - 12:39
All the manifestos have now been published. Here’s what you need to know about party promisesElection 2024: Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin manifestos all contain generous ‘good times’ spendingWed Nov 20 2024 - 06:00
I’ve read what Trump’s trade tsar says about the ‘tiny island nation’ of Ireland. It’s not goodThe intentions of the new administration are clear. If the promised heavy tariffs on goods entering the US from the EU are imposed, this is a big hit to our economic modelSat Nov 16 2024 - 07:10
Election campaign got off to spluttering start on economic and budget issues. Here is what it all meansAmong the variables in financial planning is the election of Donald Trump and his potential impact on foreign direct investment and taxThu Nov 14 2024 - 11:22
Election manifesto analysis: Fianna Fáil would entrust housing to the NTMA. Could it work?The sticky question of how to get things done will be key in this election campaignMon Nov 11 2024 - 18:19
Donald Trump and the threat to Ireland’s economic modelAs the new US president targets the European Union, Ireland is likely to find itself in some uncomfortable positionsSun Nov 10 2024 - 07:10
Ireland will be affected by Donald Trump’s presidency. Here’s what to expectDonald Trump has pledged to implement big economic, political and security changes. How is Ireland likely to be affected?Sat Nov 09 2024 - 06:00
Election 2024: Will the public finances allow the spending spree to continue for the next government? Government has breached its own 5 per cent spending limit each year since its introductionSat Nov 09 2024 - 06:00
Donald Trump’s economic plan: the key areas for Ireland US president-elect promises tariffs which could ignite a trade war with the EU and has sights set on corporate tax rateThu Nov 07 2024 - 13:29
A Trump win is bad news for the Irish economy. The question is how bad? US election: Tariffs and corporation tax are key areas to watch when calculating risk to Irish economy of Republican presidential victoryWed Nov 06 2024 - 08:14
What could Trump actually do if he wins - and what would this mean for Ireland?The Republican candidate has promised dramatic changes in tax and trade policies, with potentially big implications for the Irish economySat Nov 02 2024 - 07:00
Cliff Taylor: How the return of SSIA-style incentives might be on the cards for Irish householdsNew policies in election manifestos likely to try to get cash to move from household savings into equity investmentsThu Oct 31 2024 - 11:47
Simon Harris has identified the right problem, but a department of infrastructure is the wrong solutionBig foreign investors are putting projects on hold because they are losing faith in Ireland’s ability to deliver. We need to do something - but what?Sat Oct 26 2024 - 07:15
What will the election tax promises mean for your pocket?Parties will make a raft of pledges during the election campaign - but voters would be wise to be sceptical about their deliveryThu Oct 24 2024 - 12:04
The €500,000 suburban three-bed is now the house at the centre of the property price surgeThis kind of house is attracting bids both from those seeking to move and from first-time buyersSat Oct 19 2024 - 07:08
A group of borrowers is trapped in the never-never land of Irish mortgage arrearsIt is ‘extraordinary that arrears are running at such a high level 15 years after the crash’Fri Oct 18 2024 - 06:00
The €40 million pre-election gimmick no one asked for and even fewer needBudget 2025 tax break for homeowners is hard to justify when the extra tax credit for renters costs €65 millionSun Oct 13 2024 - 07:15
Investment funds to escape 6% ‘mansion tax’ on apartment buys as Finance Bill published Legislation gives effect to budget measures including income tax and €1.6 billion personal tax packageThu Oct 10 2024 - 17:28
Another interest rate cut is coming for borrowers next week, but the economy doesn’t need it Reduction will add to demand in the housing market as lending becomes cheaper while supply lags behindThu Oct 10 2024 - 13:05
How many new homes are needed to meet demand: 33,000 or 85,000 a year?Various reports and targets have suggested anything from 33,000 a year to 85,000. Why the discrepancy?Tue Oct 08 2024 - 06:00
Meet the budget’s real winners: A family of five on an income of more than €70,000Interplay of temporary and permanent measures means that this is a budget for better off people with children – the more the betterSat Oct 05 2024 - 07:00
Will the Universal Social Charge become hostage to a bitter general election campaign? The unpopular, post-crash tax may be targeted in an election arms race but pretending it can be abolished would be crazyThu Oct 03 2024 - 10:59
There was only ever one priority in Budget 2025 - to woo voters and win the general electionBudget 2025: Around €2bn will be disbursed to rich and poor alikeTue Oct 01 2024 - 14:00
For your pocket, it will be the tale of two budgets in one next weekThe Government is aiming to woo voters with a mix of once-off payments this year and permanent tax and welfare measures for 2024. But will the public be confused or grateful?Sat Sept 28 2024 - 07:00
Cliff Taylor: Record surplus of €25bn sets Government up for budgetRight now, the State is awash with cash but an ageing population and climate change will require higher spending in the medium term and possibly higher taxesSat Sept 28 2024 - 06:00
Yes, Budget 2025 will affect your living standards. Here’s howIt’s one of the biggest political days of the year, and it will have an impact on our pocketsThu Sept 26 2024 - 11:30
Ireland is at a turning point in its relationship with multinationalsApple’s windfall cash will help fund State investment, but promises about top-class education, green energy and abundant water count for little without deliverySat Sept 14 2024 - 07:00
Is help-to-buy a vital support for house buyers or is it just pushing up prices? The Government is to discuss expanding it while Sinn Féin pledges to phase it outThu Sept 12 2024 - 13:09
Ireland Apple tax case Q&A: What happened in court, what does it mean and where does the €13bn go? Q&A: what impact will this have on future foreign direct investment?Tue Sept 10 2024 - 12:07
Over-65s are better off and calling the political shots, while younger generations are strugglingSoon, when the tax boom bottoms out, there could be an epic battle over who pays the billsSun Sept 08 2024 - 07:00
Ireland’s disease of high prices is getting worse – has the Government added €1,000 to your household bills? The Central Bank estimates that the Government’s breach of its 5% spending rule is adding about 0.5 of a percentage point to annual inflationThu Sept 05 2024 - 12:05
Can Sinn Féin make a real difference to the housing crisis?Its plan to increase State spending, instead of incentivising private developers, would be a significant departureTue Sept 03 2024 - 06:00
Do you and your partner earn more than €100,000? Increasingly in Ireland, the answer is yesNew figures show that the earnings base has been transformed, with a big economic impact, including in the housing marketSun Sept 01 2024 - 07:07
Our population is booming, but can the State cope?By the next decade the numbers living in the Republic could top six millionThu Aug 29 2024 - 10:53
Irish population rising quickly but policy slow to keep pace in many key areas Immigration of 149,200 during year, the highest since 2008 when thousands, mainly from eastern Europe, arrived in State before economy crashedTue Aug 27 2024 - 18:13
Inheritance tax is not ‘punitive’ or ‘grave robbery’. There’s no good argument for cutting itMost people favour wealth taxes in theory, though they don’t consider themselves wealthy - but almost nobody seems to be in favour of inheritance taxSat Aug 24 2024 - 07:00
What might the economic battle between Trump and Kamala Harris mean for Ireland?If Trump slashed the US rate of corporate tax to 15%, it would wipe out Ireland’s tax advantage in attracting US foreign direct investmentFri Aug 23 2024 - 10:55
House prices are out of reach of the average earner - so why do they keep rising?Couples with six-figure joint incomes are priced out, but the market is still flush with cashSun Aug 18 2024 - 07:00
Many young families are still financially squeezed. Here’s whyWhy are people still struggling if inflation is falling and wages are rising?Thu Aug 15 2024 - 11:50
The childcare squeeze on parents will tighten next monthA little imagination and a bit of cash could stop a childcare problem turning into a crisisSun Aug 11 2024 - 07:00
A general election is coming - prepare to be bribed for your voteGovernment is planning another round of once-off household supports while struggling to keep permanent spending under controlThu Aug 08 2024 - 11:47
Can Sinn Féin’s housing policy deliver for a locked-out generation of young buyers? The locked-out generation is a key election battleground: Sinn Féin will hope its policy lands with themSat Aug 03 2024 - 07:00
What will the budget mean for the cost of a bike, a heat pump, the internet and your energy bill? All the focus is on income tax, but decisions on VAT and excise are vital for your spending powerThu Aug 01 2024 - 10:56
Internet VAT rate cut being considered for budget would reduce household billsUnder an EU directive, member states can apply a reduced rate to internet access services to promote their developmentThu Aug 01 2024 - 06:00
Darragh O’Brien’s department hates the idea of a housing body. That’s one of the reasons why we need oneCalls for new quangos should resisted, but there are three reasons to support the establishment of a small powerful group to oversee housing deliverySat Jul 27 2024 - 07:15
