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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Geopolitical uncertainty dulls business confidence, says survey
Almost a quarter of medium-sized businesses reported their activity was down compared to the same period last year, a new business confidence survey said. The survey carried out for lender Linked Finance found that business optimism amongst all Irish-based SMEs surveyed was 67% six months ago, but that has now dropped to 61%. One-in-three SMEs reported that that business results were lower year-on-year, an increase of 2% on the same period last year. Large and medium-sized SME businesses continue to drive job creation, with 36% of respondents from these areas reporting higher employee numbers year-on-year. Employment growth appears to focused in Dublin, with only one-in-10 firms outside Dublin reporting increased employee numbers. Overall, Dublin-based SMEs were performing better than those in the regions in terms of activity, the survey said, with 76% reporting trade was the same or higher – but for those based outside the capital, only 62% reported this was the case. The research suggests large businesses are holding up well, but medium sized firms of four to nine people have seen the biggest change year-on-year, with almost a quarter reporting that business activity is down compared to the same period last year. Only one-in-five medium-sized firms expect the third quarter of 2025 to bring a boost in business, compared to almost one-in-two when surveyed this time 12 months ago. Larger SMEs remain optimistic for Q3, with 46% expecting an upturn in business. Linked Finance CEO Niall O'Grady said that it was understandable that some businesses are adopting a cautious mode, concerned about tariffs or revising their forecasts. 'We live in uncertain times, and it is not surprising that SMEs in Ireland are tempering their outlook given constant reports, and now confirmation, about tariffs. This is combined with continuing conflict in both Europe and the Middle East. 'However, there are several positive take-aways from the data, particularly that large companies remain bullish for the next quarter – which is important as they employ the most people here. In addition, micro businesses are seeing a slight improvement while the retail and wholesale trade is showing some green shots.' The quarterly business confidence survey is conducted by Ipsos B&A on behalf of Linked Finance, amongst a sample of 360 business owners/managers countrywide.
Irish Independent
30-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Estate agents and sellers not trusted in home-buying process
Lack of information leaves buyers confused, frustrated and in limbo, with lengthy delays often the result of the lack of transparency. Friends and family are the most trusted source of information, followed by the solicitor the buyers are using. Engineers are also trusted. Sellers are trusted by just 16pc of respondents, with 22pc having faith in estate agents. The research shows that consumers want more information earlier in the process, and are strongly in favour of that information being shared openly. Close to 80pc agreed that if a potential buyer asks a question, the estate agent should have to disclose the information to all others hoping to buy the property. Just 16pc of those surveyed say that the current system is transparent for buyers, according to a survey commissioned by the CCPC and carried out by Ipsos B&A on 1,007 people. Buyers also feel that they waste time on viewings and researching properties that end up being unsuitable due to exaggerated adverts. Delays due to conveyancing are another huge issue. The CCPC found the average conveyancing timeframe in 2024 was 17 weeks. Just 13pc of Irish consumers who bought or sold properties in 2024 reported that the process took eight weeks or less. Furthermore, 30pc of homeowners discovered something after the sale that they wished they had known about the property, its contents or the surrounding area before buying their home. Director of research, advocacy and international at the CCPC Simon Barry said: 'The legal principle of 'buyer beware' puts the responsibility of gathering the necessary information about a property into the buyer's hands. 'Therefore, the CCPC is calling for that information to be more accessible to buyers much earlier in the process. This will empower them to make more informed decisions.' The CCPC called on the Government to legislate for the requirement of pre-sale information to avoid delays and possible sales falling through. It also called for the creation of a new conveyancing profession to enhance the efficiency of the legal process, and has recommended that no property should go to market without details – including whether the property is tax compliant, whether the seller or their solicitor has the title deeds, and if the property is undergoing probate – being confirmed.
The Journal
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
New poll reveals shift in attitude to law that would ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements
AROUND ONE-IN-three people believe that a new law that would ban Ireland from importing goods from illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine should be passed quickly. Another 14% believe the scope of the law should be expanded to ban services which originate from settlements, while one-in-five people believe the law should be approved as soon as possible. The findings were contained in an Ipsos B&A poll published by The Irish Times today, which canvassed opinions on the Occupied Territories Bill. The bill, a version of which was originally proposed in 2018, seeks to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. It is being discussed at the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee to determine whether services should be added to the bill. The Irish Times poll found that over half of people are either not in favour of passing the law, or would prefer for the government to take more time to probe the consequences of passing it. Advertisement It comes after commercial lobbyist Ibec this week warned of the ban's economic impact. Most people have become hesitant over the quick implementation of the law. An overwhelming majority of people, 74%, are in favour of passing the bill – but a high minority of people, 38%, also said they want more scrutiny of it. According to the newspaper's commissioned poll, 17% of people did not know their stance or had no opinion, while only 10% of people were not in favour of the law. This week saw the US ambassador to Israel , American politicians, Israeli-relations lobby groups and business representatives warn of the potential impacts or retaliation that Ireland could face as a result of the trade ban. The government has said that it welcomes all views and opinions to the pre-legislative discussions, it does not intend to roll back on its promise to deliver the legislation - despite a push from the opposition benches that it is taking too long. The poll was conducted through face-to-face sampling through 1,200 interviews on 14 and 15 July. The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8%. A list of companies who operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and facilitate with the ongoing occupation of Palestinian land in the West Bank and the wide Israeli settlement movement, was published by the UN in 2020. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Sobering shift: are Irish women changing their relationship to drink?
Are women waking up to the fact that booze may not be our best friend? That, actually, we have been in a long-term toxic relationship with an addictive, carcinogenic drug, one from which we may be slowly beginning to detach? The Irish Examiner Women's Health Survey, conducted by Ipsos B&A, found that women are increasingly taking control of their health and wellbeing, including their drinking. Park runs, saunas, and kombucha, rather than pubs, booze, and hangovers. When asked about their current consumption, the survey found that four in 10 women are consuming less alcohol or no alcohol, and 27% would like to decrease the amount of alcohol they drink (with 33% disagreeing). Another 27% have a drink at the end of the day to relax, although 59% disagree with this. More than half the 1,000 women surveyed, 55%, drink at least a few days every month, with 5% drinking daily. Almost one in five don't drink at all. As we become increasingly more health aware, what's interesting is how gendered our relationship with alcohol is, in part as a result of targeted marketing. Male drinking is perceived as a jolly group activity, social and celebratory, often involving sport; female drinking is presented almost as a mental health resource. Mother's little liquid helper. A sanity preserver, a coping strategy, a reward for all the ragged multi-tasking. Wine o'clock. And we're spoilt for choice: Pink gin, pink fizz, pink wine, pink spirits, pink cans of cocktails. 'For generations of women, booze is a loan shark, one on which millions of females have come to rely,' says Ann Dowsett Johnston, author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. 'Over-tired, over-worked, over-anxious, booze is there to lend a hand when you need it most. And over time, when you don't. This is the truth, the painful trajectory of female drinking. 'In many ways, this reliance has to do with booze being the ultimate decompression tool: a culturally acceptable way to unwind from a perennially demanding schedule. Women go toe to toe with men in the workforce, outpace men in post-secondary education, and yet bear the lion's share of the emotional and domestic labour of running a family.' No wonder we drink. Add to this our deeply embedded cultural attachment to alcohol, and you can see how Irish women have ranked seventh heaviest drinkers in the world, according to 2016's Global Burden of Disease Study. No such thing as safe For women's health, there are no safe levels of alcohol consumption, as outlined in recent research published by Harvard Medical School, despite official 'safe' limits set out by the Irish Government, suggesting 11 standard drinks for women per week (it's 14 for men). Consultant hepatologist professor Orla Crosbie agrees that there's no such thing as 'safe' drinking for women : 'Even with moderate alcohol intake, the risks of cancer are increased.' She reminds us that women are more susceptible than men to the effects of alcohol, as we tend to be physically smaller and have more body fat. 'There may also be hormonal reasons too,' she says. 'There is a whole range of physical, mental, and social issues that come with excess alcohol intake. Even within the recommended limits, there's still risk, particularly of cancer. Alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer, plus cancers of the throat, oesophagus and pancreas. There's also increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, seizures — alcohol lowers your seizure threshold — and of course liver disease.' In terms of mental health, Crosbie reminds us that while we use alcohol as a relaxant, 'in the short term you don't sleep as well, and long term it increases anxiety and depression'. It also has social impacts specific to women: 'There are no safe alcohol limits during pregnancy. And, as alcohol is a disinhibitor, it can lead to unwanted pregnancies.' For older women, 'the impacts can range from people having road traffic accidents to falls, especially as we get older. These can result in fractures or head injuries, which can be devastating.' It can also exacerbate osteoporosis and skin conditions. 'A lot of people who I see with alcohol issues have multi-vitamin deficiency,' she continues. 'If your diet is poor, you can lose muscle mass while gaining fat. And with liver disease, you can retain fluid. Sarcopenia [wasted weak muscle] has a huge impact on morbidity and mortality. 'It's possible to recover,' she adds. 'Overall, mental and physical health can be improved — the key things are nutrition, time and abstinence.' Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, says the increased risk of cancer arises at 'relatively low levels' of consumption, one to two drinks per day. But even knowing about the negative health and social impact of alcohol, cutting down or stopping can be particularly hard in a culture where you have to justify not drinking. Where drinking is so normalised that not drinking is regarded with suspicion. 'Our drinking culture is very much set by the alcohol industry through its saturated marketing,' says Gilheany. In the past, alcohol marketing targeted men — if women were present, it was for decorative purposes. Remember the Harp advert, 'Sally O'Brien and the way she might look at you'? Nobody was trying to sell Harp to Sally. This has changed, as the drinks industry seeks to close the gender gap and boost its profits. 'The alcohol industry now deliberately targets women with dedicated marketing strategies,' says Gilheany. 'Traditionally, women have consumed less alcohol than men, and so the industry sees a significant market opportunity. Previously, women appeared in marketing campaigns more as an adjunct to men's drinking. 'Marketing strategies now include a range of products which are designed with women in mind — literally pinking the drinks,' says Gilheany. 'Other common themes are empowerment, sponsorship of women's sports, and aligning with women's issues. For example, she notes that multinational alcoholic beverage company Diageo has supported fundraisers for breast cancer research in the US. 'It's particularly ironic given that one in eight breast cancers is caused by alcohol.' The drinks industry, she adds, is strongly opposing the introduction of Ireland's cancer warning labelling on alcohol products. Pic: iStock Cultural changes However, the 0.0% drinks aisle seems to be expanding. Where once non-drinkers had a choice between fizzy water and fizzy pop, these days there's a plethora of grown-up, alcohol-free options that actually taste good, from beers to prosecco to de-alcoholised spirits. Is being able to join in without the prospect of a hangover a cause for celebration? Or does the expansion of the 0.0% aisle in the supermarket not quite reflect reality? '0.0% alcohol drinks make up a very small percentage of the overall alcohol market — around 1%,' says Gilheany. In 2023, 0.0% beer products made up around 2% of the beer market in Ireland and 0.0% spirits made up around 0.5% of the spirit market. 'While this market is growing, there is very little evidence of an alcohol substitution effect — people may be consuming these 0.0% products as substitutes for soft drinks, or in addition to alcohol products. 'For example, Heineken has had a campaign about drinking 0.0% beer after a gym session or at lunch time — occasions when alcohol might not have been drunk. 'Given how small the 0.0% spirits market is, it seems unlikely that this is a major contributor to any changes in women's drinking.' Cultural change takes time. There was a time when Coca-Cola contained actual cocaine, when laudanum was freely available, when snuff was fashionable, and when smoking was sexy. Until recently, we were told Guinness is good for you — including if you were a pregnant woman in need of iron — and that red wine is good for cardiovascular health. We know now that this is simply not the case. But given the collusive, collaborative nature of alcohol as a drug and its vast profitability, we remain reluctant to let go of it, and the industry remains reluctant to stop flogging it to men and women. Gilheany would like better labelling, similar to that on tobacco products, in an effort to pierce our denial. 'The minister for health should ensure that Ireland's alcohol labelling regulations are not delayed in any way from their start date in May 2026,' she says. 'These include warnings about alcohol and liver disease, cancer, and not drinking during pregnancy.' Alcohol is not a risk-free product. Nor is it essential for everyday life. It's not essential at all. That's a fact not lost on the four in 10 women in the Irish Examiner Women's Health Survey, who are consuming less alcohol or no alcohol at all.
Irish Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish truckers rage that overgrown hedges are causing 'significant' accidents
Irish truckers say overgrown hedges on rural roads are leading to 'a significant number' of road traffic accidents. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is calling on local authorities to ensure that roadside hedges are cut back, especially at busy junctions. Overgrown hedges are blocking sightlines at junctions, obstructing road signs and causing unnecessary accidents, according to the hauliers. The association is urging local authorities to cut hedgerows up to four metres high and consider both truck and trailer heights. A 2024 Ipsos B&A survey commissioned by the RSA found that 75% of 620 HGV drivers reported overgrown roadside hedgerows to be challenging while driving. IRHA President Ger Hyland said these overgrown hedges are also causing significant damage to vehicles. He said: 'When hedges encroach onto the road, truck drivers are often forced to veer across the white line in order to avoid damage to their vehicles and wing mirrors, creating a dangerous situation for all road users. 'On average a medium sized haulier is losing 2 mirrors a week on their truck fleet. That is a cost of €1000 euro a week due to mismanagement of our roadside vegetation.' The hauliers also noted that overgrown hedges can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, as they can push them out onto traffic with little warning. So far this year, 79 people have died on Irish roads, this includes 20 pedestrians and eight pedal cyclists. Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 states that landowners have a clear responsibility to maintain roadside hedgerows. However, Mr Hyland said he believes this enforcement is 'non-existent' by the local authorities. He is calling on councils to be more proactive when engaging with landowners. While hedge-cutting is prohibited from March 1 to August 31, it is allowed when overgrowth poses a road safety risk.
