David Murphy

Economics and Public Affairs Editor

Bonds: EU opens infringement proceedings against Ireland

The European Commission has opened infringement proceedings against Ireland because it says the Government's tax regime discourages Irish residents from buying bonds issued by other EU states.

Business • 19 hrs

Macro detail of euro currency money banknote: 10 euro

Interest on bank bailout was €650m in 2025 - C&AG

The cost of paying the interest on the money borrowed to bail out Ireland's banks was €650m last year, according to a report by the State's spending watchdog.

Business • 30 Sep

C&AG finds vacant homes tax only has limited effect

The Vacant Homes Tax, which is designed to bring empty homes back into housing market for sale or rent, only has a limited effect, according to a report by the Comptroller & Auditor General.

Business • 30 Sep

1,558 wealthy individuals due to pay income tax of €421m

Wealthy individuals in Ireland who pay income tax have an effective tax rate of 33%, almost double the rate paid by all other income taxpayers, according to a report by the Comptroller & Auditor General.

Business • 30 Sep

ESRI warns of higher food prices and tax base 'fragility'

Consumers face the threat of higher food prices with inflation remaining above 3% next year, according to the Economic and Social Research Institute.

Business • 29 Sep

10 changes to watch for on Budget day

With Budget 2027 just over a week away, RTÉ's Economics and Public Affairs Editor David Murphy details what changes people can watch out for ahead of 6 October.

Analysis and Comment • 27 Sep

Capsules on a conveyor belt in a pharmaceutical factory

Employment in pharma and medtech sectors jumps 60% - CSO

Total employment in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sector increased by 60% between 2019 and 2025 and the wage bill rose by 98%, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Business • 24 Sep

A government minister stands in front of microphones with Ireland EU presidency branding behind him

Two-day Dublin Castle gathering to focus on energy prices

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the two-day informal meeting in Dublin of EU finance ministers, the finance ministers of Canada, UK, Ukraine and Switzerland, and the heads of the European Central Bank and the IMF is "focusing on a number of areas."

Business • 18 Sep

Makhlouf calls on EU to speed up single-market completion

The Governor of the Central Bank Gabriel Makhlouf has called for Europe to move faster to complete the single market.

Ireland • 18 Sep

Planning was approved for a total of 11,912 homes in the second quarter of 2026, new CSO figures show

Planning permissions jump by 60% in second quarter - CSO

New figures show there was a 60% increase in the total number of homes granted planning permission in the months between April and June of this year compared to same time in 2025.

Business • 17 Sep