Economy to surge, Gap to close, and the UK’s Mr Bean approach to cyber security

The Central Bank is forecasting a surge in economic growth later this year as households unleash up to €12 billion in "excess savings" built up during the pandemic. However, it warned that as the pandemic eased, a credible plan was needed to get the public finances back on track. Eoin Burke-Kennedy reports on this, and on the regulators warning that the pandemic will result in 25,000 fewer homes being built over the 2020-2023 period.

Eoin also reports that multinationals channelled ¤27 billion in profits generated in other countries through Ireland in 2016, according to a new study.

The research commissioned by the Left group in the European Parliament suggested Ireland was the second largest beneficiary of so-called profit-shifting in the European Union behind the Netherlands.

Gap has announcedit will be closing all stores in Ireland and the UK by the end of 2021. In a statement issued last night, the company said it intends to take business online "in a phased manner" from the end of August through to the end of September this year. The retailer has been active here since 2006 while it has had stores in the in the UK since 1987.

Delay over EU digital passes will deny travel rights to 1.5m Irish people – Ryanair

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Dublin’s high living costs sees it rank mid-table in best cities survey

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Economy set for surge as households to splash €12bn savings

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Multinationals channelled €27bn through Ireland in 2016, report claims

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Rent increases in so-called rent pressure zones are to be capped in line with inflation, and a ban on evictions of struggling tenants has been put in place for the rest of the year under new laws set to be introduced by the Government. Colin Gleeson has the details.

Matt Hancock continued to make the headlines this week, this time for using his gmail account for official business. With its mail system being a regular target of major hacking attempts , Karlin Lillington asks if Mr Bean is the lead consultant on the UK's email security policies?

Manufacturing activity remained at a near record high in June as new orders rose at the fastest rate ever, leading to the second strongest expansion in output to date. Eoin reports on AIB's June PMI which shows the headline index recorded a level of 64 in June, just shy of the all-time record high of 64.1 in May.

How are you feeling today? This is the question that a new generation of artificial intelligence is getting to grips with. Marie Boran explores the growing research and advancements in the area of emotional AI.

Dublin was only ranked mid-table in a survey of best cities to live and work remotely from due to the high cost of living, particularly housing, according to a new survey by online housing platform Nestpick. Eoin outlines the areas the capital scored well on, and where it lagged behind other cities.

Delaying the issue of EU digital passes to July 19th will deny more than 1.5 million Irish people the right to travel, Ryanair chief Eddie Wilson has warned. The EU will formally launch its digital Covid certificate, aimed at restoring free movement in the bloc today, but the Republic is waiting 18 days to implement the system, reports Barry O'Halloran.

In Technology, Ciara O'Brien examines Microsoft's Windows 11, which is expected to land later in the year , and is aiming to take over from Windows 10, as quickly as possible. Here's what you can expect from the new system.

Ciara also reviews the Samsung QN95A Neo smart TV. This vivid 65-inch monster uses Neo QLED technology to bring fine detail, just make sure you have plenty of room in your house for it.

In this week'sInside Business podcast, Ciarán Hancock talks to Galway restaurateur and owner of the Michelin starred Aniar restaurant, JP McMahon, about what the delay to reopening will mean for his business now and into the future.

In his Innovation column, Chris Horn argues that for our indigenous high-tech sector to continue to grow and become world class, we need to now not only invest in start-up bootcamps and leadership development, but also in exit graduation and acquisition coaching.

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