Archive for May 2025

IDA Ireland sought the views of Irish-based pharmaceutical companies on the EU’s draft list of retaliatory measures to US tariffs earlier this year as part of the Government’s response to the European Commission on the proposals. The European Union published a list of imports from the US which could face tariffs as part of the…

The euro could become a viable alternative to the dollar, earning the 20-nation bloc immense benefits, if governments could only strengthen the bloc’s financial and security architecture, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today. Unnerved by erratic US economic policy, global investors have been reducing their exposure to dollar assets in recent months but many have…

The European Commission has said that President Ursula Von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump have agreed to fast track trade negotiations and to stay in close contact following last night’s phone call. Mr Trump has said he would pause his threatened 50% tariffs on the European Union until 9 July, after a “very…

A new report shows that while export-driven economic growth in the first quarter of this year may not be sustainable, efforts to boost domestic tourism should help to sustain employment and support more balanced growth. But the latest SME Monitor from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) also shows that cost pressures and price increases…

In every business, assets are the foundation of operations — from equipment and office space to intellectual property and digital tools. However, many companies unknowingly sit on idle resources that could be working harder for them. At KAAS we know that whether it’s underused software licences, surplus inventory, or vacant office space, unlocking the value…

Venture capital funding into Irish SMEs jumped to €532.8m in the first quarter of 2025, new figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association Venture Pulse survey shows. This was a record for a first quarter and marked a year-to-year increase of over 100%. The survey is carried out in association with William Fry. It showed…

Oil prices recorded limited gains today after US President Donald Trump extended a deadline for trade talks with the European Union, easing concerns about US tariffs on the bloc that could hurt the global economy. Brent crude futures rose 18 cents, or 0.28%, to $64.96 a barrel early this morning while US West Texas Intermediate…

How would your household deal with an unexpected financial emergency costing €1,000? That was a question posed as part of this month’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment survey. Just over a third of consumers say that they would use savings, while 18% say they would use their income, and 15% say they would be unable to…

The estimated number of people in employment in the first quarter of 2025 stood at just under 2.8 million, up 3.3% compared with a year ago. The latest Labour Force Survey from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) also shows that there was an increase in the unemployment rate in the first three months of the…