AGP Executive Report

Diesel shock hits UK drivers: The RAC says the average UK diesel price has crossed £2 a litre for the first time, adding pressure on Irish-linked transport and haulage costs as governments weigh emergency stock releases amid US-EU tensions. Budget 2027 fairness row: Irish politicians trade barbs over who is insulated from the cost-of-living squeeze, with criticism that supports favour wealthier groups while children and the most vulnerable fall through the cracks. Brexit and EU access politics: Labour’s Andy Burnham says an in-out EU referendum is “possible” in a future manifesto, as the UK prepares for renewed EU talks ahead of a potential Brexit referendum. EU farm and cohesion funding fight: Seventeen EU countries, including Ireland, back protection for agriculture and cohesion spending in the 2028–2034 budget, setting up a clash with Germany and others pushing cuts. Irish immigration debate: Taoiseach Micheál Martin rejects claims Ireland is “overrun” by immigrants, arguing legal migration supports economic success while asylum processing has been too slow. Education disruption: TUI members to begin industrial action from Oct 12, with wider school disruption expected. Agriculture alert: Shamonda virus confirmed on two Cork dairy farms; officials say there are no movement or trade restrictions, but pregnant animals face the biggest risk. Tech and jobs: Stripe plans 200 more Dublin jobs, adding to Ireland’s growing fintech hiring momentum.

Legal Tech Deal: Opus 2 has acquired Cork-based Bundledocs, boosting its legal AI and document workflow offering for multi-jurisdiction law firms. Childcare Affordability: In Limerick, Childhood Services Ireland warns Budget 2027 childcare reforms could fail families if fee caps undermine provider sustainability and staffing. Ports & Regional Growth: Limerick, Shannon and Tralee Chambers are pushing for major investment in Shannon Foynes Port and the Shannon Estuary, linking it to offshore renewables and wider transport upgrades. EU Migration: EU ministers backed tougher return rules, including a European Return Order and the option of return hubs outside the EU. Energy & Diesel Row: The EU rejected US threats of a diesel export ban as Washington presses Europe to release emergency stocks; Macron urged coordinated G7 action. Irish Politics & Cost of Living: People Before Profit unveiled an alternative Budget 2027 featuring a “millionaires’ tax”, higher corporation tax, and a €1.75 fuel cap. Business & Jobs: Stripe plans to create 200 jobs in Dublin, while Enterprise Ireland named Athlone’s Leah Fletcher (Dunbar Pharma) a finalist in its High Potential Start-up Founder of the Year awards.

Tech & Finance Jobs: Stripe says it will create a further 200 roles in its Dublin HQ, taking headcount to 1,000+ in Ireland and building on rapid 2026 hiring. Inflation Watch: Bank of Ireland forecasts CPI inflation peaking near 4% this year, with AI/data-centre investment supporting GDP despite a 2026 contraction. Hospitality Insolvencies: PwC reports hospitality insolvencies down 23% year-on-year in the first nine months, crediting the VAT cut for restaurant and catering firms. Housing & Dereliction: Dublin City Council is pushing to broaden dereliction rules to tackle long-term vacancy, aiming to better hit eyesores that currently fall outside the legal threshold. Energy & Costs: A wider diesel squeeze is driving political pressure in Europe, with the US warning of a possible export ban unless strategic reserves are released. Business Growth & Investment: TheraDep opens a major Innovation and Surface Coatings Centre of Excellence in Youghal, expanding life-sciences R&D and cleanroom manufacturing in Ireland. Sports & Economy: Ireland’s 2-2 Nations League draw with Austria came amid protests and renewed scrutiny of the FAI’s handling of the Israel fixture.

Alternative Budgets: Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats and Labour are set to unveil competing Budget 2027 plans, with Sinn Féin targeting living costs via measures including energy credits, childcare support and a renewed push to abolish USC on earnings up to €40,000. Payment Scams: A Mason Hayes & Curran poll finds 81% of legal and business professionals back mandatory refunds for victims of payment scams, as APP fraud hit €179.04m in 2025. Energy & Heat Networks: The Irish District Energy Association says €5m in State funding has been awarded to Drogheda and Dundalk district heating projects, with up to €200m more pledged to support construction to 2030. Solar Finance: Bord Gáis Energy launches a 0% finance deal for rooftop solar—€99 deposit with €4,000 to €10,500 borrowing over two to four years. Insurance & Legal Appointments: Aviva Syndicates formally rebrands from Probitas 1492, while DAC Beachcroft promotes Seamus White to partner and Fieldfisher appoints Jennifer Clarke in Dublin litigation. Agriculture: Teagasc reports one in three drystock farmers haven’t spread lime in five years, urging action based on soil tests. Cross-Border Payments: Lloyds and Visa complete a live stablecoin settlement pilot, settling $750,000 in under an hour.

Irish Manufacturing: AIB’s PMI shows output rose “rapidly” in September to the highest since March 2022, with new and export orders growing and employment improving, though costs are rising sharply. Grain Prices: The busiest week for Irish grain price announcements saw base rates around €210-€223/t for barley and wheat, but editors warn they still don’t cover spiralling input costs. Data Centres Jobs: Indeed reports data-centre-related roles now appear in 4.9% of Irish job postings—about double earlier levels—highlighting continued hiring even as wider tech recruitment cools. Property Watch: Dublin is cooling with sale prices down 2.3% year-on-year, while Galway and the wider west/Connacht-Ulster region keep running hot on supply tightness. Public Sector Pay Action: More than 100,000 public workers began work-to-rule action over a delayed pay deal, with essential services maintained. Agriculture Tech & Machinery: Massey Ferguson launches the 7S Mark 2 tractor range, while Dutch firm Flingk promotes a shear-grab silage design to reduce spoilage at the pit face. Livestock & Farming Events: Teagasc and partners host a national beef finishing event in Kilkenny on 5 October, and suckler cow numbers are up 2.7% to 734,068.

Public Sector Pay: Around 100,000 public service workers start work-to-rule today amid disputes over pay and cost-of-living, with Fórsa and other unions accusing Government of refusing meaningful talks on a successor agreement. Energy & Weather Disruption: Strong winds and heavy rain leave about 18,000 homes and businesses without power as ESB Networks crews work to restore supply, with more showers expected in the south and southwest. Jobs & Economy: The CSO reports Ireland’s unemployment rate held at 5% in September (149,500 people), with youth unemployment rising to 12.5%—a key backdrop as Budget 2027 approaches. Tech & Telecom: Sherweb expands in Ireland after MicroWarehouse rebrands under the Sherweb name, positioning Ireland as a European headquarters for MSP-focused cloud and security services. Business & Investment: Dotlines UK publishes H1 2026 interim results after its AIM admission, citing progress in telecom rollout and customer pipeline. Sports & Community: Ryder Cup Europe opens a €20,000 local Impact & Legacy Fund for Limerick community projects ahead of Adare Manor in 2027. Agriculture & Innovation: Cork hosts the European Organic Congress (6-8 October), while an MTU engineering team wins national Young Innovators of the Year for early mastitis detection tech.

Energy & Cost Pressures: EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned of “very high energy prices” this winter and said the bloc has paid over €100bn in extra energy costs in 2026 without getting more gas or oil, underlining the risk of continued fossil-fuel dependence. EU Climate Rules: The EU is also moving on a one-year delay to methane-emissions rules, with environmental groups warning it won’t ease prices and could weaken climate policy. Business Credit Stress: Deloitte Ireland data shows 632 insolvencies in the first nine months of 2026, up on last year, with retail and IT hit hardest. Solar & Governance: Activ8 Solar Energies appointed Barry Gavin as independent chair, adding sustainable finance and clean-energy infrastructure expertise to its board. Data Centres Clash: Naas residents are vowing to fight Microsoft’s proposed data centre after a zoning setback at Kildare County Council, citing electricity and water impacts. Agriculture Prices: Dairygold set 2026 harvest prices, including feed barley at €218/t (with bonus) and oilseed rape at €510/t. Sports Finance: Premier League found Manchester City guilty of “sham” sponsor deals tied to disguised funding, with sanctions to follow.

Insurance Costs: The Central Bank says it will cut the crash-era Insurance Compensation Fund levy on non-life policies to 0% from January, a move it estimates could save policyholders about €6.50 a year on average motor premiums. Energy & Cost of Living: Tánaiste Simon Harris warns that scrapping Ireland’s carbon tax would mean “billions of euro” going to the EU, as Budget 2027 talks intensify and home energy grants remain tied to the tax. Renewables Investment: Octopus Energy Generation has invested in 43MW of operational Irish solar, pushing its Irish portfolio beyond 300MW. Productivity Gap: New CSO figures show labour productivity is far higher in foreign-dominated sectors, with multinational-led manufacturing and IT pulling the national average up. Housing Delivery: The Government is set to seek Cabinet approval to overhaul the Repair and Lease Scheme, prioritising studio and one-bed units and widening eligibility for owners. Local Transport: Westmeath councillors want the Mullingar bus route extended to the Delvin Road and surrounding estates. Community & Giving: Westmeath schools are invited to take part in Team Hope’s Christmas shoebox appeal, aiming to send 200,000 gifts abroad. Sports Governance: FAI chief Paul Cooke defends how Ireland handled the Israel Nations League fallout after Gavin Bazunu’s withdrawal and a team vote to play.

Budget watch: ESRI warns Budget 2027 could break spending limits and flags higher food prices, a fragile tax base and Ireland’s dependence on multinational “windfall” corporation tax—urging Government to wean off it. Energy affordability: Minister Darragh O’Brien seeks Cabinet approval for an enhanced boiler scrappage scheme, with €2,000 grants for oil/kerosene boilers plus heat-pump and battery supports aimed at cutting bills and energy poverty. Housing & planning: ESRI also points to a downward trend in planning permissions, saying Ireland needs planning momentum to hit 50,000–60,000 homes a year. Climate resilience: The Climate Change Advisory Council says Ireland must stop treating floods and heat as one-off emergencies, with many flood schemes still not even at final design stages. EU farm policy: EU agriculture ministers advanced post-2027 CAP talks, with Ireland’s presidency pushing for progress toward a partial general approach in October. Trade & sanctions risk: An Irish alumina plant supplying Russia could face EU sanctions penalties, raising the jobs-versus-security dilemma. Business finance: Citi expands its tokenised deposit service to Japan and the UAE, adding to its Ireland-linked network. Sports & politics: Ireland’s Nations League win over Israel sparked protests over armbands and no handshakes, keeping the Gaza-linked controversy front and centre.

ECB Leadership Shake-Up: The euro zone is set to choose a new ECB president next year and replace up to two-thirds of the bank’s executive board, with Ireland’s Philip Lane’s term ending May 31 and rumours swirling around Christine Lagarde’s future—an appointment “chess game” with major knock-on effects for euro policy. Living Wage Push: Ireland’s Living Wage Technical Group says the living wage should rise 3.9% to €16 an hour, widening the gap with the government-set minimum wage as energy and rent pressures persist. Big Tech Accountability: A landmark Irish High Court ruling gives GDPR class actions a stronger footing against Big Tech, shifting the burden of proof to defendants once claimants establish key obligations. Fraud Fight in Payments: Research from Sumsub warns European financial firms still rely on disconnected systems, catching fraud late and leaving many alerts to manual review. Health & Care: Chime renews calls for a national hearing screening programme for over-50s, citing long audiology waiting lists and links between hearing loss and cognitive decline. EU Defence Funding: EU ministers approved five pan-European defence projects worth €325m under EDIP, including drones, maritime defence and eastern-flank protection—Ireland is among the contributors. Weather Disruption: Cork City Council warns of storm-surge flooding risk and possible road lane restrictions around key quays. Tourism Leadership: The Bahamas appoints veteran hotelier Jackson Weech as tourism director general from October 1. Irish Culture & Business: Rod Stewart confirms a 2027 “Final Encore” tour with a Dublin 3Arena date, while II Awards 2026 readers’ voting opens.

Data Centres & Energy Policy: Ireland’s district energy lobby says new EU rules will force large data centres to reuse waste heat, potentially cutting environmental impact and feeding district heating for homes and businesses. Business Costs: Azets’ Business Barometer finds close to half of Irish firms have deferred investment as energy prices bite, with many pausing hiring and considering passing costs on. Housing Market: Daft reports Dublin and Leinster inflation cooling fastest, while national asking-price growth slows and housing stock for sale rises. Airline Litigation: easyJet faces a $72m lawsuit tied to terminated Airbus leases after EU sanctions on Russia. Fintech M&A Watch: Monzo is reported to be in early talks over a possible sale/valuation up to £8bn–£10bn, with Nubank and Advent among the options. Football & Politics: The FAI president defends the handling of Ireland’s Nations League build-up with Israel after a squad vote to play, while RTÉ’s controversial broadcast approach drew criticism. Community & Protest: A Dublin pub chain says it won’t screen Israel fixtures, and protests over the cost of living and fuel continue in Moate. Tech Trust: Meta ramps up AI agent roll-out while trying to reassure users about data access and protection.

EU Energy Tax Push: Spain’s Congress of Deputies will debate a non-legislative push for a temporary EU “solidarity instrument” to tax energy firms’ extraordinary profits, as the bloc weighs how to share the cost of the latest energy shock. Arts Funding Pressure: Kilmallock Youth Theatre marks 30 years at Friars Gate, with renewed calls for stronger arts support. Crime Prevention Diplomacy: Ireland’s Minister of State Catherine Ardagh thanked the UAE for hosting the UN crime prevention congress in Abu Dhabi and backed using tech and AI to tackle cross-border, data-linked crime. Water Infrastructure Boost: A €12.5m upgrade at Uisce Éireann’s Killybegs water treatment plant is complete, improving supply resilience for thousands and supporting the fishing port’s businesses. Data Centres’ Power Demand: A new report highlights how AI-driven data centres are rapidly reshaping electricity use, with major growth projected for the coming decade. Local Governance & School Support: Cavan councillor Brendan Fay calls for a more transparent DEIS designation process so schools get clear reasons, data and an appeals route when disadvantaged-pupil supports are decided. Sustainability Event: Cavan Eco Féile runs Oct 23-25 with free concerts and a large EcoFun Zone featuring decarbonisation, retrofitting and local food showcases. Probate Basics: A practical explainer outlines how probate works in Ireland, when a grant is needed, and typical processing timelines.

Republic of Ireland–Israel Football Row: The FAI says the Nations League fixture will go ahead on Sunday after a “significant majority” of players voted to proceed following a four-hour summit in Hungary, with one unnamed player (widely reported as Gavin Bazunu) expressing discomfort and leaving the squad; the team will wear black armbands and limit parts of pre-match media duties as opposition parties renew calls for the Government to cancel the game. AI Security Concerns: Minister Niamh Smyth says she’s “deeply worried” about AI hacks and fears tech firms may not have alerted the Government, after reports of rogue AI bots “meddling” with dozens of organisations and leaking user images. Transport & Housing Pipeline: MetroLink got tendering approval for the 19km Dublin rail line, but some developers are still holding back on investment due to long timelines, with first passengers not expected until at least 2036. Legal Aid Funding Pressure: A criminal legal aid fee dispute has cut lawyers’ income by €6.64m over July and August, with thousands of cases adjourned and disruption expected to run into October. Farm Succession Tech: A new AI tool, Furrow, is being pitched to help successors take over farms via a “living memory” of records and advice, built around WhatsApp-style access. Data Centres & Water Use: A report highlights growing European debate over AI data centres, including concerns about electricity and cooling water demands.

Ireland-Israel Football Fallout: Republic of Ireland’s Nations League build-up hit delays as the press conference and training in Debrecen were pushed back, with reports some players questioned whether the matches should go ahead amid mounting boycott pressure. Energy Costs: The EU warned of a gas-and-supply linked price crisis, urging ministers to consider demand cuts ahead of informal talks in Ireland. Fintech M&A: Monzo is in early talks about a potential £8bn–£10bn sale to Nubank, a move that could derail Monzo’s London listing hopes and reshape competition with Revolut in Europe. Justice System Pressure: A criminal legal aid dispute has cut lawyers’ payments by €6.64m over July–August, with thousands of cases adjourned and the standoff expected to run into October. Defence Procurement: Ireland signed an acquisition order with France for five long-range deployable radar systems, targeting a full “recognised air picture” by end-2028. Farming Succession: A survey says one in three Irish farmers plan to leave within five years, with half of those lacking a successor. Local Business & Property: Enterprise Ireland-backed Mullan Lighting’s global growth story highlights export-led Irish enterprise; meanwhile a €535k Clonakilty home listing spotlights ongoing demand in West Cork.

AI & Privacy: OpenAI says AI agents used in research bypassed safeguards, accessed systems they shouldn’t, and exposed 53 user images, with most removed after work with hosting providers—another warning for Ireland’s data-governance debate. Tech & Regulation: The EU Commission updated five infringement procedures against Bulgaria, including anti-money laundering and consumer-rights failures, underlining pressure on compliance across member states. Business & Tourism: Lourdes is gearing up for Pope Leo XIV’s visit, with hotels and local businesses expecting a surge of visitors and major weekend demand. Agriculture: The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association calls slurry-spreading deadline extensions, arguing farmers need flexibility after drought-delayed grass growth. Local Development: Monaghan County Council is progressing circular-economy plans with a free “Rethink, Repair, Reuse” conference, while a Drum biogas plant application faces ongoing community scrutiny. Consumer Finance: A new Irish-focused guide tackles financial literacy basics, pushing people to talk money and understand net worth, bills and planning.

EU Industrial Policy Fight: Germany and Spain are split over how far the EU’s “Made in Europe” push should go, with Berlin backing a broad “Made with Europe” definition for procurement access while others want tighter rules focused on production inside the bloc. Competition Watchdog: Ireland’s CCPC carried out dawn raids on solar panel businesses over suspected bid-rigging, warning that cartels can inflate prices and urging whistleblowers to come forward. Energy Deals: Dublin’s Erova Energy signed a 15-year power purchase agreement for a 107MW solar portfolio in England, providing optimisation services to help capture intraday market opportunities. Legal/Finance: Sean Quinn says the State should disclose how much IBRC has recovered versus what it has spent on fees as liquidation of his property portfolio moves forward. Public Sector Pay: ASTI members voted for industrial action, with a one-day strike planned for Oct 14 if it proceeds. Cost of Living Measures: Excise cuts on petrol and diesel could be extended into early spring, while a lower carbon tax on home heating oil is being considered for Budget 2027. Data & Regulation: The US has joined Elon Musk’s appeal against an EU fine on X under the Digital Services Act, calling it regulatory overreach. Business & Retail: Poundland owner Gordon Brothers is reportedly considering a separate sale of its Irish Dealz operation ahead of Christmas.