Goodman’s €2bn Luxembourg link, Brexit tariffs and no-deal vote, and Boeing woes

Accounts for two Luxembourg companies that are key financing cogs in Larry Goodman's beef empire show the units' assets were fast approaching €2 billion. Returns were recently filed for Parlesse Investments and Silverbirch Investments, which are closely connected to Mr Goodman's ABP Foods Group.

The details emerge amid warnings the Irish beef sector would be one of the biggest victims of the UK's proposed no-deal Brexit tariff regime. Announced on Wednesday the tariffs would be a "disastrous scenario" for Irish food exports if implemented, the IFA warned.

The likelihood of the tariffs coming into play were reduced somewhat later in the day after UK parliamentarians voted to rule out a no-deal exit under any circumstances, fuelling fresh speculation of a soft Brexit or a second referendum. Sterling extended its rally against the dollar and euro on the back of the vote.

The US bowed to international pressure and ordered the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max aircraft after days of insisting the plane was airworthy despite two crashes in five months.

Sterling extends rally as UK MPs reject no-deal Brexit

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Republic’s food sector faces huge threat from UK no-deal tariff plan

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Canadian cannabis fund returns 50% in two months

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No-deal tariff plan is bad news for North’s businesses

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Elsewhere, Ciara O'Brien looks at trackers and toys for high-tech pets, Olive Keogh interviews an new Irish fintech simplifying the processing of retail cash.

Among today's columnists, Karlin Lillington asks if Ireland taking its role as

Europe's data watchdog seriously, arguing that the Irish Data Protection Commission needs to start adjudicating in a firm, confident, visible and timely way.

With Irish companies pitching their wares on various trade missions and exhibitions over the St Patrick's Day festival, Chris Horn remembers his first rather rocky foray on the exhibition circuit with his original startup. He has some sage advice for startups on how to get noticed - for all the right reasons.