News Optimism among Irish firms slips but remains ahead of EU averageAlmost three-quarters of Irish businesses expressed confidence in the Irish economy over the next 12 months
Europe Fraudsters suspected of stealing over €600m from EU’s pandemic fundTwenty two people have been arrested after a series of raids across the bloc
Fine Gael Leadership Race ‘Irish economy has made such progress. I want to remain a part of it’: Paschal Donohoe eager to keep cabinet seatMinister for public expenditure said he would like to remain in his current position, but that he has not sought any assurances
Markets European record stock rally has further room to runEuropean stocks are poised for a ninth straight week of gains, the best run since 2012
Politics Suspending EU-Israel trade deal may be only way to end Gaza war in Gaza, junior minister saysJoe O’Brien said Israel had carried on in its ‘disregard for international law’
Israel-Hamas War Von der Leyen silent on Leo Varadkar’s call for review of EU-Israeli trade dealCommission President has not yet responded to calls from Ireland and Spain for an urgent review of the agreement in light of Israel’s actions in Gaza
Economy ECB will know ‘a lot more’ to make rate cut decision by June, Philip Lane says ECB chief economist said the lender will have a clearer view on price growth in the second quarter
Finance IMF prospect fades for Donohoe as EU ministers unanimously back GeorgievaReigning IMF managing director has received the support of all 27 finance ministers, including Michael McGrath, to keep the top job
Economy To cut or not to cut: ECB governors on when to slash interest rates Officials on the bank’s governing council are backing cutting rates from June, with some leaving the door open to reductions from April
Economy ECB holds interest rates above 4% despite improved inflationary outlookMarch meeting marked the fourth time the lender has rates after a marathon stream of interest increases
Legal Apple to be quizzed by EU over Epic Games shutoutFortnite maker has accused Apple of violating the EU’s sweeping new Digital Markets Act rules, which take full effect Thursday
Markets Analysis: Why airline stocks are still struggling to reach pre-pandemic heightsIntense competition and volatile fuel prices are holding regional airlines back, even as their earnings have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels
Politics EU members clash over efforts to centralise markets supervisionPaschal Donohoe, president of the Eurogroup, said member states disagreed over the issue
Politics Ireland gets zero votes in bid to host EU anti-money laundering agencyIn complicated process, Ireland loses out on bid for agency that would have brought 400 jobs
News Frankfurt chosen by EU council for anti-money laundering agency, but parliament to vote laterThe German city beat eight other European cities including Dublin in the EU Council vote, but the final result hangs with the European Parliament
Politics Ursula von der Leyen to seek new EU term amid Ukraine and US challengesThe German leader has informed her party that she intends to seek a second term as head of the European Commission
Legal EU to fine Apple €500m in music streaming anti-trust probe Apple could have been fined as much as 10 per cent of its annual global sales, according to the Financial Times
Economy Christine Lagarde warns against hasty decision on ECB rate cutsEuropean bank chief said that singled out salaries as ‘an increasingly important driver of inflation dynamics in the coming quarters’
Climate & Environment Eamon Ryan to travel to Paris to co-chair International Energy Agency meeting Conference will focus on the commitment to transition away from fossil fuels, as agreed at COP28
Climate & Environment Explainer: what has to be done to meet EU’s 2040 aim of cutting emissions by 90 per centThe EU estimates it will need to invest about €1.5 trillion every year between 2031 and 2040 but the elephant in the room is agriculture