A container ship sits berthed at Dublin port. Traffic figures released today suggest feed imports linked to the fodder crisis helped to mask further decline in port traffic. Photograph: Aidan Crawley/Bloomberg. Fodder crisis helps to mask falling shipping volumes

Statistics suggest Irish exports to long-haul markets down in first quarter

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Italy’s Prime Minister Enrico Letta listen to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during a European Union leaders summit in Brussels today. Photograph:  REUTERS/Francois Lenoir EU leaders pledge to curb tax avoidance

Taoiseach says Ireland does not do special deals on tax

Tax policy under the spotlight

Banking system remains greatest risk to economy

Rising number of bad loans is one of the main challenges says Central Bank Report

Half of property market professionals and experts surveyed say residential proprty prices will fall in 2013. Photo: Alan Betson Experts believe property prices will fall in 2013

Over three years most experts expect prices to recover modestly

Pictured at the Tullow Oil plc Dubin Shareholders Meeting are Aidan Heavey (right), Chief Executive Officer, and Graham Martin, General Counsel and Company Secretary. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland Tullow Oil criticises exploration tax regime in Republic

Low take-up of offshore licensing reflects risks involved in drilling off Irish coast

The report by the Brussels-based Bruegal thinktank argues that in hindsight Greek sovereign debt should have been written down at the outset Ireland’s EU-IMF bailout has been a success, says thinktank report

Ireland’s bailout has been a success, Portugal’s a “potential” success and Greece’s a failure

In Ireland, as in most European countries, the banking system is the most important conduit for channelling money from savers to investors. If the most important part of the financial system is impaired, under-investment follows, leading in turn to sub-par economic growth Too little credit or too few entrepreneurs?

Lack of lending is hindering recovery but debate on attitudes to enterprise is needed

Hope amid uncertainty

In the first three months of the year exports of chemical and pharmaceutical products fell by more than 11 per cent on the same period in 2012 Exports subdued but strengthen for second consecutive month

Chemical and pharmaceutical exports continue to suffer

American Chamber of Commerce president Peter Keegan: “Untold damage to our international reputation could result if we enter into a summer of discontent has warned. Photograph: Cyril Byrne American Chamber warns industrial unrest could damage Ireland’s international reputation

Peter Keegan says many don’t understand role reputation plays in attracting FDI

The trade surplus widened in March, but quarterly figures showed a year on year decline. Trade surplus rises in March

But quarterly figures less positive as exports show year on year decline