KBC Bank has announced it is leaving the Irish market. Ulster Bank is also leaving. Bank of Scotland, Irish Nationwide, Danske Bank, Anglo Irish and ACC Bank are long gone. With seven banks gone, there are now only three retail banks left in the country. We have a worsening problem with competition in Ireland. For a very long time banking, insurance, retail and energy providers were dominate... read more>

With Ireland holding the lockdown record in Europe at over 160 days, our ability to exercise locally within 5km or now 20 km has become a crucial topic for wellbeing and mental health. Many of us have seen new walking paths and cycle lanes opened in communities around the country. €240 million has been allocated to building these new routes, half of them in Dublin. What a thrill to see this ... read more>

Working remotely is becoming the new normal for many of us. What was a temporary measure due to the pandemic is now permanently changing the way we work. Working from home brings many challenges: lack of space, poor broadband and the mental challenges of confinement. There are also many implications for householders and for household bills. Your energy, telephone and broadband usage might be... read more>

We are 3 months into a level 5 lockdown and the R number remains stubbornly high. New variants, which will keep emerging, are more contagious. Our only hope is vaccination, but at the current rate, it will take more than 2 years to vaccinate everyone in Ireland. While most of us are happy to wait our turn for a vaccine, many others have very genuine reasons to try to get vaccinated earlier. ... read more>

None of us need more bad news as we commemorate the end of our first year under house arrest. But a never-ending pandemic is throwing up worrying signs that prices on many household goods and bills are creeping up. Here are some things that will lead to price inflation:   In the hospitality, entertainment and travel industries, many participants will unfortunately not survive the pande... read more>