Judge criticises DPP, fluid views on immigration and a lucky budget?

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from ‘The Irish Times’ business desk

A judge has criticised Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Claire Loftus for her unwillingness to respect a High Court ruling in a legal row over a State bid to seize €210,000 from card payments processor, Pacnet. Barry O'Halloran has the details.

Voters in Western countries may be deeply divided on the issue of immigration but a new study shows many are willing to change their views when presented with the relevant research. Eoin Burke-Kennedy reports

Investment group Tetrarch Capital is in talks with US investor Starwood about a joint venture partnership that would be worth several hundred million euros, and replace the Irish-owned hotelier's plan for a public flotation, reports Jack Horgan-Jones.

NUI Galway is planning to invest around ¤200 million on developing disused sites it owns in the city centre. Peter Hamilton reports. Peter also interviews Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, president of NUIG and hears about his plans for the university.

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Irish Studio, which owns the Irish Central site and magazine brands Irish Tatler and Food & Wine, has appointed Katie Molony and Ciaran Casey as co-chief executives of the media group, writes Laura Slattery.

The Financial Services Union has launched its first ever cross-sector survey, seeking to build a broad picture of working conditions as it seeks to expand its footprint. Joe Brennan reports

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for a new €40 million hotel at Portobello in Dublin despite its own inspector strongly recommending that planning permission should be refused.

The total pension deficit for Irish publicly-quoted companies widened by 23 per cent last year, largely due to a slump across global equity markets as investors fretted about economic growth and trade tensions, according new figures, writes Joe Brennan.

Weekly columnist John FitzGerald says that a no-deal Brexit scenario would make an unwise Budget 2019 look prescient.

Our Washington correspondent Suzanne Lynch charts how the immediate threat to Aughinish Alumina has been averted but not lifted permanently.

Finding it hard to stay awake at your desk? Olive Keogh hears that it might be what you are eating.

Inside Track meets FeedthePulse founder, chef Owen McArdle, who supplies all of Galway's GAA teams.

Laura Slattery picks over this week's wacky world of business.

Caveat wonders whether Facebook really knows how many fake accounts it has.

The latest in our Brexit Proof series hears the views of Mags Kirwan and her husband Ger who run the Goatsbridge Trout Farm.

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Conn Ó Midheach

Conn Ó Midheach

Conn O Midheach is Assistant Business Editor - Digital of The Irish Times