Markets update: Irish and UK markets green but mixed picture in EU as French index falls
Markets update: Irish and UK markets green but mixed picture in EU as French index falls
Megan O'Brien
08:53
Photo: Javier Ghersi
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Irish brewer founded by Smithwick's family becomes second to shift operations stateside to escape Trump tariffs
An Irish beer brand revived by Smithwick's has moved most of its brewing to the US in response to the 15pc tariff President Donald Trump has put on EU imports The decision by Sullivan's Brewing Company, a Kilkenny beer brand co-founded by Dan and Alan Smithwick in 2016, comes as big pharmaceutical and technology companies seek to woo Trump by announcing largescale investments in the US. Earlier this month Apple struck a deal with Trump to invest $600bn (€515bn) in the US over the next four years to foster an 'end-to-end' American chip supply chain.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Gig economy insurer Zego pulls out of Irish motor market, denting State efforts to increase competition
Promoting competition and market access is a key aim of the Government's latest version of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform. But it has now emerged that UK-based insurer Zego has stopped taking on new business in this market. The firm specialised in insurance for self-employed drivers, especially taxi drivers, delivery drivers and other gig economy workers. It is authorised and regulated by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets, and has a branch office in Ireland. A notice at the top of its website says: 'We're no longer offering insurance in Ireland.' From last week it stopped offering new insurance policies for taxis, cars, or scooters as it begins to wind down operations in Ireland. There was no response to queries to the company from this publication, but the notice on its website says that Zego policies remain active and valid until they reach their expiry date. 'Nothing changes about your cover during this time – you're still protected, just as before,' the company notice says. The company told policyholders that when their policy expires they will not be able to renew it or get a new one from Zego. Any funds owed to policyholders will be refunded. Customers of the insurer will still be able to make a claim, even when it closes down. A spokesperson for the Department of Finance said both it and the Central Bank were aware that Zego is exiting the Irish market. 'From Tuesday, the August 5, Zego will no longer offer new taxi, car, or scooter insurance policies as it begins to wind down operations in Ireland. 'Existing policies in Ireland stay active and fully valid until they reach expiry date. Existing customers in Ireland can still access information and support through the Zego website,' the department said. The Central Bank of Ireland said it was aware that Zego intends to cease operations in Ireland. It does not comment on its supervision of regulated entities, it said.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Pharma companies warned Government over competitiveness before Trump's tariff war began
Multinationals criticised the impact of EU rules on how they do business Major pharmaceutical companies raised concerns about Ireland's competitiveness, ahead of Donald Trump's opening shots in early April which began the tariff war with the EU. Correspondence released under the Freedom of Information Act to the Sunday Independent show that companies called on the Government to address supply chain issues and ensure there was a diverse and skilled workforce here. They also criticised the impact of EU regulations on how they do business. The warnings from Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson came before Mr Trump heightened uncertainty in the sector by announcing sweeping global trade tariffs, and underlined the need for Ireland to react if it is to retain its significant foreign direct investment from the pharma sector. Multinational pharmaceutical companies play a significant role in Ireland's economy. IDA Ireland data shows more than 90 pharmaceutical companies are based here and provide in the region of 45,000 jobs. They also pay billions in corporation tax. US-headquartered Eli Lilly, which employs 3,500 people in Limerick, Cork and on a nationwide commercial team, met with Department of Enterprise officials in February and outlined their concerns around the future of the EU-US trading relationship. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson told Enterprise Minister Peter Burke that policy enhancements for business, health and housing 'should be considered in a co-ordinated manner that reflects national strategic priorities'. Trump has threatened future tariffs of between 150pc and 250p on pharma Notes from the Eli Lilly meeting show it told Department of Enterprise and IDA Ireland officials that it wants to see 'greater intensity from Ireland at EU level, specifically around the EU pharmaceutical legislation.' New EU pharma rules, which may be adopted by the end of this year, are designed to address issues around the availability of medicines, how they are produced, and aim to improve competitiveness in the sector. But some businesses raised concerns about the protections for clinical data before it is made available to the manufacturers of cheaper generic versions of drugs. Existing rules allow pharma companies to keep clinical data for eight years. Reforms would reduce this period to six years, although extensions may apply in some scenarios. Officials here said they recognised the need to strike a balance between access to affordable medicines and incentivising innovation. Notes from the Eli Lilly meeting show officials in the Department of Enterprise acknowledged EU-US trade concerns in the pharma sector, saying 'predictability is key for business' and that European engagement would be 'bolstered by expertise from industry'. The company 'also highlighted the importance of de-risking supply chains, ensuring there is a diverse skillset in Irish operations' and said that it 'would like to see more regulation co-operation between the US and EU, especially with the US Food and Drug Administration,' meeting notes stated. A letter sent to Mr Burke by Michaela Hagenhofer, Johnson & Johnson's general manager of commercial operations in Ireland, raised concerns about the European Commission proposing 'to weaken intellectual property incentives for pharmaceuticals… from eight years to six'. The letter stated: 'At European level, it is important that Ireland secures and strengthens its reputation as a life sciences hub by advocating for a competitive business environment. In recent decades, Europe's share of pharmaceutical investment has significantly declined.' A Department of Enterprise spokesman said it supports protecting intellectual property 'and will continue to make the case for this at EU level'. The EU and US last month agreed a 15pc tariff rate would apply on most European goods imported to America. Pharmaceutical goods are not currently the subject of this tariff, but the US is examining its drug supply chains, and levies could be imposed once that analysis concludes. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said any future pharma tariffs would be capped at 15pc. Trump indicated this cap may only be maintained for 'one year, one-and-a-half years maximum' and threatened future rates of between 150pc and 250pc unless pharma companies return production to the US. 'The department welcomes an agreement that will provide much needed certainty to businesses which operate in Ireland and will continue to engage with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission,' a Department of Enterprise spokesman said. 'The Department has favoured a zero-for-zero arrangement and will continue to argue against any tariffs which may interfere with the closely integrated nature of the Irish and US pharmaceutical sectors.'
