Consumer confidence has slumped to a 21-month low amid rising concerns over Brexit, increased household costs such as rent and heat, and limited expectations of gains in next week’s Budget.

British prime minister Theresa May has been left isolated after her alternative economic and trade plans for Brexit were shot down by senior EU figures.

The leadership contest has effectively been going on for over a year, points out Alison O’Connor.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has rejected criticism of his defence of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at this week’s EU summit meeting.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says a decision will be made "in the next few weeks" on whether to extend the capping of water charges.

ON radio yesterday morning, Olivia O’Leary, who chronicled his era in power as a political reporter, recalled the time she danced with Albert Reynolds. He was, she said, a great dancer.

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds was not a great politician but people would "welcome him back in a flash today", said Ryanair chief executive, Michael O’Leary.

Minister James Reilly will update the Dail's Health Committee this morning on issues including Universal Health Insurance proposals and the Ambulance Service.

If the Government is successful in its attempts to get a bank debt recapitalisation from the ESM, then it is likely to get only a portion of the €30bn it has requested, according to a troika source.

Intrusive surveillance dominated the EU summit, but Enda Kenny had far bigger things to worry about than the phone tapping fury erupting between the US and Germany — he had Lucinda Creighton on his case.

WHAT is the point of speaking rights if you have nothing to say? The docile Dáil was all a-buzz at the news that booted-out Blueshirts and unloved-Labourites will actually be heard in the chamber to which they were elected.

The latest Central Bank figures show that domestic banks and households continue to deleverage, with mortgage and business lending falling and deposits increasing.

The Government’s aspirations to capitalise the Irish banks through the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) could be derailed by German chancellor Angela Merkel.

European Stability Mechanism (ESM) funds should be used to recapitalise banks, including Irish banks, as part of an EU-wide Banking Union, IMF mission chief to Ireland, Ajai Chopra, told a conference in Dublin.

EU President Herman Van Rompuy's expressed hope that the Union's 27 leaders can tonight add to a good week, that began with picking up the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Irish banking system is slowly on the mend, according the Central Bank’s latest macro financial review.

The Irish Farmers Association is pledging to continue its sit-in protest at the offices of the European Commission in Dublin, until EU leaders agree not to impose cuts on CAP payments.

European Union leaders have given Luxembourg’s top banker a place on the executive board of the European Central Bank, overriding the advice of parliament, which had wanted a woman for the job.

The positive newsflow around the Irish sovereign has helped bond yields trade well below Spanish debt, even though Ireland is in an EU/IMF bailout programme.

Government ministers have rejected suggestions that statements by Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel on bank debt have sunk hopes of a deal for Ireland.

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) successfully tapped the markets for a further €500m in three-month treasury bills yesterday.

The Outright Monetary Transactions (OMT) programme announced by the ECB last month will never be a replacement for primary market access, says the bank’s president Mario Draghi.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that yesterday’s successful auction of €500m in treasury bills by the NTMA was “all part of a process of rebuilding reputation, of rebuilding trust and of demonstrating that as a Government and as a people, this country recognises that it faces challenges itself.”

The National Treasury Management Agency will attempt to raise a few hundred million euro in an amortising bond over the next couple of days.

Employers’ group Ibec yesterday unveiled its “Action Plan for Recovery” which included 50 ideas to drive growth in the economy.

IBEC is calling for the creation of a new state-backed investment bank.

The IMF estimates the global economy growing at 3.5% this year, according to its latest World Economic Outlook.

Business sentiment slumped in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest IBEC survey.

The National Treasury Management Agency will auction a €500m three-month treasury bill tomorrow to pave the way for the issuance of longer dated debt in the first quarter of 2013.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said an EU agreement to bring down borrowing costs for indebted nations will ease the burden on Ireland’s taxpayers.

Shares in commodities giant Glencore fell nearly 4% today amid fears a mega-merger with Xstrata will collapse.

Asian stock markets fell today, a day after Spain formally requested help to rescue its ailing banks and investors lost hope that an upcoming summit of European leaders would yield meaningful results.

No quick-fix options to tackle the euro crisis threatening to spin out of control will be supported by Germany, chancellor Angela Merkel has warned.

The euro crisis has moved into a new and arguably much more dangerous phase over the past couple of weeks.

Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes said today that a deal on recapitalising Spanish banks through the ESM fund would dramatically change things for Ireland's debt.

Islanders off the north west coast were the first to vote on the Fiscal Treaty referendum today, four days ahead of the rest of the county.

Islanders off the north west coast of Ireland will be the first people to vote on the EU Fiscal Treaty referendum today, four days ahead of the rest of the county.

The heat was getting to nearly everyone in and around Leinster House as the yes and no sides battled for control with just a few days left before voters go to the polls.

Opposition leaders have united to demand a referendum on EU fiscal union even if the Attorney General rules it does not interfere with the constitution.

Chambers Ireland has welcomed last night’s EU Summit's moves to create jobs in the eurozone.

Germany is trying to tone down reports sparking indignation in Greece that it wants a new eurozone “budget commissioner” with the power to veto budget decisions taken by the Greek government.

Trains and public transport across Belgium were being paralysed today by nationwide strikes in protest at austerity measures that have in part been imposed through European Union pressure.

IRELAND’S company tax system will come under renewed pressure from France and Germany at the EU summit later this month.