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Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin (C) walks with his delegations as they arrive at the Great Hall of the People to meet with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 5, 2026. (Photo by Andy Wong / POOL / AFP)

Taoiseach set for in-depth trade talks with China's Li

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is set to have more in-depth talks on trade with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, working to strengthen strategic ties ⁠with the world's second-largest economy amid tense China-European Union relations.

Covalen workers striking in December

Workers at outsourcing firm Covalen to take strike action

Rise in activity in Ireland's services sector - report

ICS said the increases will see fixed rates rise by between 0.10% and 0.45%, depending on loan-to-value bands

ICS hikes mortgage rates for owner-occupiers

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Next edges up profit outlook on strong Christmas sales

Harvey provides AI platforms for legal and professional services

AI company to create 20 jobs, open new office in Dublin

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Euro zone growth completes strongest quarter since 2023

A person holds a lit cigarette in their hand

Smokers could halve insurance costs by quitting

Markets More

Technology & Innovation

More Technology & Innovation

Ian Brown, Integrity360's Executive Chairman

Integrity360 expands North America with Advantus360 deal

A man on a stage with a display model of a computer chip

Next generation of chips in full production - Nvidia CEO

Intel launches next-gen PC chip at CES in Las Vegas

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Regulator 'engaging' with EU over explicit images on Grok

Tech heavyweights including AI chip giant Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su are among the key speakers at CES this year

Self-driving tech, AI take centre stage at CES 2026

Mans hand holding a mobile phone.

Data usage surged while phone calls declined in 2025

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Samsung to double AI mobile devices to 800 million units

More Technology & Innovation

Work

a pile of 20 and 50 pound sterling notes

FTSE CEOs' pay overtakes UK salaries in less than 3 days

'The benefits and drawbacks of hybrid working are still contested because there is insufficient evidence from which bosses can determine when, where and for whom hybrid working is beneficial.'

What are the workplace trends we're going to see in 2026?

Work and careers

Covalen workers striking in December

Workers at outsourcing firm Covalen to take strike action

'Access to AI tools increased worker productivity by an average of 14%, but the benefits weren't distributed equally'. Photo: Getty Images

Good news: AI won't take your job. Bad news: you can't ignore it

Work and careers

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Sharp rise in work-related deaths in 2025

'In a dynamic, ever-changing work world, we need to adopt a lifelong learner mindset and be committed to engaging in upskilling'. Photo: Getty Images

Want a new job? Here's how to upskill or reskill for free in 2026

Work and careers

The Workplace Relations Commission

2025 in Review - Workplace Relations Commission decisions

More Work

Analysis & Comment

More Analysis & Comment

A firefighter monitors the spread of a wildfire near Los Angeles, California last January

Ambition to tackle climate change weakened by Trump

Claudia Winkleman in a promotional shot for The Celebrity Traitors

Boom Box: Why it's the golden age of unscripted TV

The Australian ban is being closely watched by other countries

Would an Australia-style social media ban work here?

Analysis and Comment

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Economy gets fatter from making the world slimmer

US President Donald Trump attends a concert by Andrea Bocelli in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC

US sets out stall for correcting 'Europe's trajectory'

Analysis and Comment

More Analysis & Comment

2025 in Review

More 2025 in Review

A firefighter monitors the spread of a wildfire near Los Angeles, California last January

Ambition to tackle climate change weakened by Trump

Stock price information displayed on a board at the London Stock Exchange Group

London's FTSE scores best year since 2009

A pile of Silver bullion bars and coins

Silver shines in 2025 global market spotlight as oil lags

The Workplace Relations Commission

2025 in Review - Workplace Relations Commission decisions

Donald Trump's trade policies - and the global reaction to them - will remain front and centre in 2026

Trump shook up global trade in 2025, uncertainty remains

My future fund Contact Centre

Government prepares for pension auto-enrolment

2025 in Review - The 'tipping point' for cyber attacks

Fran McNulty siting in the Behind the Story podcast studio with David Murphy and Brian O'Donovan

Behind the Story: The business year in review

Behind the Story

Gold prices have doubled in the last two years

2025 in Review: Gold's biggest gain this year since 1979

Close-up of unrecognizable white man checking the price of ground beef at supermarket

4 factors that could determine if food prices jump again

Asian businesswoman analyzing financial stock trading data on smartphone with virtual reality artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Stock exchange market trading board in background. Innovative mobile trading concept. Smart banking with technology

2025 in Review: The highs and lows of the 'Magnificent 7'

EU fishing quotas cause concern among coastal communities

Your money

More Your money

A person holds a lit cigarette in their hand

Smokers could halve insurance costs by quitting

Shoppers seeking bargains at Brown Thomas in Dublin

'Steady' stream of shoppers for post-Christmas sales

ICS said the increases will see fixed rates rise by between 0.10% and 0.45%, depending on loan-to-value bands

ICS hikes mortgage rates for owner-occupiers

A woman and a man stand beside two cash and cheque lodgement machines in a bank

AIB rolls out new Cash and Cheque Lodgement machines

'Cat and mouse' - What happens when you call a scammer?

Monzo gets full banking licence from Central Bank

Have you claimed all your credits and expenses (dogs not included yet)? Photo: Getty Images

How to take control of your taxes in 2026

A picture of power lines

McDonald critical of rise in energy costs for households

Arms shoving a small piece of luggage to the top shelf of an aircraft

Airlines' lowest advertised cabin bag prices 'rare'

Can willpower help you resist Christmas overspending?

CRU encourages consumers to switch energy suppliers

Irish mortgage rates at lowest level since March 2023

The Business of Climate

More The Business of Climate

Orsted challenges US halt of $5 billion wind project

A firefighter monitors the spread of a wildfire near Los Angeles, California last January

Ambition to tackle climate change weakened by Trump

Plastic cup with an iced coffee and a straw

France pushes back plastic cup ban by four years

People charging their electric cars at charging station

Your essential guide to buying an electric car in 2026

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102,000 tonnes of waste generated over festive period

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EU unveils new rules to support plastic recycling

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US freezes five big offshore wind projects, shares dive

More The Business of Climate

US Tariffs

More US Tariffs

Oil prices set for biggest annual drop since 2020

Donald Trump's trade policies - and the global reaction to them - will remain front and centre in 2026

Trump shook up global trade in 2025, uncertainty remains

Canada's economy shrank by a greater-than-expected 0.3% in October, new figures show today

Canada's economy sees biggest contraction in 3 years

New cars parked ready for export in a German port with a ship in the background

German auto exports hit hard by Trump tariffs - study

Domestic demand to grow by 2.8% in 2026 - Ibec

Roomba maker iRobot files for bankruptcy

US trade deficit shrinks unexpectedly to 2020 low

a German flag with a candle stick graph imposed on it

German economy stuck in slow lane, institutes say

The Swiss National Bank today kept its interest rate at 0% - the lowest among major central bank

Swiss National Bank sticks with zero interest rate

Image of a banker at a table with the Canadian flag behind him

Bank of Canada holds rates, says economy is resilient

A Chinese port with a truck and container in front of a large red crane

China's trade surplus tops $1 trillion in November

India's central bank cuts key rate, boosts liquidity

Business Brainstorm

More Business Brainstorm

'The benefits and drawbacks of hybrid working are still contested because there is insufficient evidence from which bosses can determine when, where and for whom hybrid working is beneficial.'

What are the workplace trends we're going to see in 2026?

Work and careers

'Access to AI tools increased worker productivity by an average of 14%, but the benefits weren't distributed equally'. Photo: Getty Images

Good news: AI won't take your job. Bad news: you can't ignore it

Work and careers

Have you claimed all your credits and expenses (dogs not included yet)? Photo: Getty Images

How to take control of your taxes in 2026

'Though they will face plenty of other problems, such as securing stable employment contracts, housing might not be the primary concern for much of Generation Z in the future.' Photo: Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Generation Z may not need mortgages - here's why

'In a dynamic, ever-changing work world, we need to adopt a lifelong learner mindset and be committed to engaging in upskilling'. Photo: Getty Images

Want a new job? Here's how to upskill or reskill for free in 2026

Work and careers

The ECB has highlighted a growing recognition among central banks, finance ministries and civil protection agencies that cash is a critical component of 'national crisis preparedness'. Photo: Getty Images

'Cash is here to stay': why cash is king in emergency planning

People charging their electric cars at charging station

Your essential guide to buying an electric car in 2026

'As the phenomenon of drone deliveries increases, the concerns of home owners and residents negatively impacted by the rapid rise in the number of flyovers have attracted ever greater media attention'. Photo: Getty Images

Can I stop drone delivery companies flying over my property?

Aer Lingus pilots on parade at Dublin Airport in the 1960s. Photo: Independent News and Media/Getty Images

Why Ireland sought to stop US airlines landing at Dublin Airport

It turns out that supermarkets can learn a lot about customer behaviour and preferences from what's in their shopping baskets

How supermarkets turned loyalty cards into a data treasure trove

Solar panel installation on residential house

How long will it take for my solar panels to pay for themselves?

Woman going over her finances

Are you being ripped off by the 'loyalty penalty'?

Business Watch and Listen

A business woman on a the stage of the CES conference in Las Vegas

Big trends at CES 2026 include AI, Robotaxis,smart health

Insolvency levels consistent over the past 3 years - PwC

6% drop in visitors this year, tourism body estimates

My future fund Contact Centre

Government prepares for pension auto-enrolment

A new DART train beside an older model

DART fleet to be replaced with energy-efficient carriages

'Cat and mouse' - What happens when you call a scammer?

Image of the outside of the Kilkenny Design shop on city street

Profits increase seven sold at Kilkenny Design retailer

Domestic demand to grow by 2.8% in 2026 - Ibec

The SEAI says more progress is needed to achieve 2030 emissions targets

Ireland needs to break link with fossil fuels, says SEAI

Consumers concerned about AI fraud and impact on jobs

A picture of power lines

McDonald critical of rise in energy costs for households

Female stock trader on front of a rake of computer screens showing financial market data

Global shift poses risks and opportunities for investors

Agribusiness

More Agribusiness

Hopes to ink a Mercosur agreement in December were dashed by France and Italy joining forces in demanding a delay

EU says hopes to sign Mercosur trade deal 'soon'

Sharp rise in work-related deaths in 2025

Fishing boats in Killybegs Co Donegal

Fishermen say industry facing 'toughest ever year'

Overhead image of tractors in fields with big AI writing on the ground

Robts and AI could transform future of farming - expert

a plate of butter and a knife

ALDI, Lidl, SuperValu and Centra cut their butter prices

Close-up of unrecognizable white man checking the price of ground beef at supermarket

4 factors that could determine if food prices jump again

China hits EU dairy with tariffs, broadening trade row

Micheal Martin speaks to reporters

Resolution of Mercosur issue not expected this week

Herd of cows on the field (Holstein cattle)

Bluetongue vaccine to be allowed in Ireland next year

Suspected case of Bluetongue identified in fourth NI farm

a photograph of thomas byrne

Byrne not expecting Mercosur deal vote until January

Agri-food regulator to be granted increased powers

Startup Nation

Zen Pensions launches full digital pension

The Slush event is a key platform for Irish start-ups seeking to accelerate their expansion and secure investment

Irish tech delegation targets VC funding at Slush 2025

Image of a man holding an enterprise award standing beside a woman

O'Sullivan winner of EI's Founder of the Year award

Four women pose in a garden holdig signs to encourage female entrepreneurship

Going for Growth's 18th programme for women entrepreneurs

Meta-Flux co-founders Lee Sherlock (CEO) and Brendan Martin (CTO) at Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) in Dublin, with an 800 MHz NMR spectrometer.

Irish start-up raises €1.8m to develop 'AI biologist'