The Irish Government recently published its long-overdue National Mitigation Plan on climate change, with more than 100 initiatives proposed to reduce carbon emissions in line with global targets. Amid predictions that Ireland looks set to miss its 2020 targets to reduce emissions, environmental campaigners have expressed disappointment with the Government’s new blueprint

Dublin-based company bookapitch is delivering a web-based solution that makes booking and managing sports facilities easier. Bookapitch is a new online venture that enables organisations like schools, GAA or football clubs to advertise and rent out their sports pitches without spending their time speaking to each and every person making a booking – while allowing

Home owners and businesses in all local authority areas are set to face a significant increase in electricity costs to help pay for new subsidies for renewable energy under an overhaul planned by Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Ireland has to meet demanding CO2 emissions targets by 2030. These changes to […]

Ulster University has launched a €6.7 million cross-border research project, funded by European Union, it aims to develop a range of consumer-owned energy storage resources. The launch of Ulster University’s SPIRE 2 project follows the UK Government’s announcement of a complete transformation of how energy will be generated, stored and used in the future. SPIRE […]

Building the long-sought M20 motorway linking Cork-to-Limerick motorway could create up to 5,400 jobs and contribute €128 million to the State, a new report says. The report commissioned on behalf of Cork and Limerick chambers of commerce states that the motorway linking the two cities could potentially support 4,000 to 5,400 new jobs, and in […]

Trinity College Dublin is to lead a €12m EU project to transform European cities into smart cities with an emphasis on nature. Major cities are becoming increasingly difficult places to live, with high rates of pollution and limited amenities posing problems as cities struggle to keep pace with expanding populations. However, a new €12m EU […]

Employee motivation levels have increased by 6% over the last year according to accounting and consulting firm Mazars, who published the third annual Employee Motivation Survey. The survey revealed that 87% of employees are motivated in their jobs. Forty per cent of employees are more motivated than this time last year due to changing roles, […]

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten has announced that the mandatory pay-by-weight scheme is to be abandoned and flat fee charges are to be scrapped. The pay-by-weight scheme, which was due to come into place from 1 January, was held up at the eleventh hour last December amid controversy around bin companies […]

A hard Brexit would permanently damage Ireland, reducing the size of the economy by almost 4% and cause a rise of almost 2% in unemployment, according to a study by the Department of Finance and the Economic and Social Research Institute. The research examined the impact of different Brexit scenarios. It found that all of […]

The Finance Bill is to contain a provision which will adjust a loan-to-value restriction on the Government’s first-time buyer scheme. Originally the Budget stated that home buyers would have to take out a mortgage of at least 80% of the value of a home to qualify for the grant. However, there were concerns raised by […]

Interest deductibility for residential landlords is to be increased by 5% to 80% as part of measures in Budget 2017 to support the rental market. The rate had been restricted to 75% in 2009. In addition, full interest deductibility for landlords will be restored on a phased basis. It will increase by instalments of 5% […]

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Budget 2017 is the first in a series of budgets that are focused on what the public said was important. Speaking on RTÉ News, Mr Kenny said it was based on continued prudent management of the economy that takes into account coming challenges such as Brexit. The Taoiseach said he […]