Roubles for gas, AIB’s €4.2bn loan deal and the US right celebrates Elon Musk

Energy companies that comply with a demand by Russia to pay for gas by opening a rouble-denominated bank account would be in breach of European Union sanctions, and member states have unanimously agreed not to comply, EU officials have said. Naomi O'Leary has that story, while John FitzGerald considers how Russia's moves to cut off gas supply to parts of Europe might affect the continent as a whole. An EU response is needed, he argues.

The State's competition watchdog has given the go ahead for AIB's purchase of a €4.2 billion book of commercial loans from Ulster Bank, which is leaving the Irish market. Mark Paul reports that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has also warned however that the ongoing raft of consolidation in the banking sector could hurt customers.

As Elon Musk's planned $44 billion (¤42 billion) takeover of Twitter moves forward, our Washington Correspondent Martin Wall takes an in-depth look at what the deal could mean for the conservative right in the US. He also muses on the possible return of former president Donald Trump to the platform under its new ownership.

In his Caveat column, Mark Paul turns his attention to tourism and the problems the sector faces in trying to address environmental concerns over emissions. There is a natural limit to how environmentally friendly international tourism can be, he writes, reminding us of its other merits.

World’s first recipient of Car-T cancer therapy is now 17

---

Kerry Group reaffirms 2022 guidance after strong start to year

---

Watchdog clears AIB’s deal for Ulster loan book but highlights ‘concerns’

---

Grafton reports positive trading with revenue rising

---

In our Work section, Olive Keogh outlinesthe problems attached to working while you're unwell, a practice she says is bad for both employer and staff member. She also has some tips for when it's unavoidable, such as trying to complete tasks that are pleasant rather than tedious and taxing.

Glenveagh Properties chief executive and co-founder Stephen Garvey has been chosen as The Irish Times Business Person of the Month for March, an award run in association with Bank of Ireland. The listed Irish house builder returned to the black last month, posting a pretax profit of €45.7 million for 2021, which marked a major turnaround on the previous year when it recorded a loss of €15.7 million.

And finally, this week's Wild Goose is Cavan man Donal Mulvey, who has made a successful new life for himself as a proofreader in Cambodia. He tells Barbara McCarthy about living a short cycle away from the most famous of all the Asian country's temples.

Stay up to date with all our business news: sign up to our business news alerts and our Business Today daily email news digest.