Europcar Groupe is “cautious” about the British car rental market as it monitors developments in the UK’s negotiations to leave the EU, although it has yet to see any impact on its 2017 results.

The Irish franchisee of car and van rental firm Europcar has been acquired by its parent group for an estimated €26m. Since its Paris flotation last year the French rental group has targeted the purchase of its better-performing franchisees with a reported war-chest of around €500m available.

It looks like Star Wars has already had an impact on Irish tourism, as Skellig Michael, which features in The Force Awakens, was named among the top ten attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way by tourists.

Europcar Ireland is offering commuters 50% off car rentals this week to help people get to work while the Bus Eireann strike continues.