In April, EU consumer sentiment jumped by the largest monthly rate since the series commenced in 1985, showing how eagerly vaccinated people are longing for a return to life as they knew it

For the majority of countries, including Ireland, zero-Covid is a fantasy notion that simply cannot be pursued effectively

'In a nutshell, the handling of Covid and the vaccine programme is causing serious political ripples across the world'

'The public will increasingly face into a banking system with fewer outlets, less qualified staff and a serious diminution of customer service'

The withdrawal has left us with major headaches, not least a concentration of banking muscle in fewer hands. Jim Power mulls over what it all means, and concludes the State needs to take radical action now

The foodservice sector will have a key role to play in the rebuilding of the Irish economy post-Covid-19.

My new year’s wish is that fiscal austerity does not enter the domestic lexicon for a long time to come

Assuming the virus is gradually brought under control, we are likely to experience a significant rebound in investment, global trade, spending, and international travel, writes Jim Power

The UK relationship with the EU has become incredibly acrimonious and the wounds may never be healed, writes Jim Power

This year is one we will all want to forget as quickly as possible, and we hope that we can look forward to better times. How 2021 turns out will be influenced, above all else, by the vaccines, writes Jim Power