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

 David Duffy, Research Officer, ESRI , at the presentation of the ESRI Quarterly Economic Commentary, in Dublin. Economy to perform better than forecasts, says ESRI

Growth set to reach 1.8 per cent this year and 2.7 per cent in 2014, predicts report

ESRI research officer David Duffy at the presentation of the institute’s ‘Quarterly Economic Commentary’ in Dublin yesterday. Photograph: Eric Luke ESRI says promissory note deal to save €1bn

Cost of IBRC liquidation to lead to increase in spending this year

David Duffy, ESRI’s research officer at the presentation of the Quarterly Economic Commentary in Dublin yesterday. Photograph: Eric Luke Banks still squeezing credit to small and medium businesses

One in nine SMEs were either refused a loan or did not apply in the first place, ESRI finds

Participants in the anti-austerity march in Dublin in February organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Photographer: Dara Mac Dónaill Growth is key to ending vicious circle of austerity

Opinion: The task is to reduce the deficit over time without harming recovery or causing long-term social damage

Limited access to credit has become an ever greater impediment for small and medium-sized companies, according to new research published yesterday Firms in ever greater need of credit