Any worthwhile relationship can withstand an honest conversation. The best relationships are empowered when directness replaces fudge; when a spade is called a spade.

Ireland is set to travel a bumpy — and very expensive — road in the journey to meet its clean energy and carbon emission reduction targets, writes Kyran Fitzgerald

New indicators suggest the prospect of Britain opting to leave the EU is becoming more of a reality.

The chairman of Lloyds Banking Group has said that there was no “compelling economic argument” for Britain to stay in the European Union without a significant change in its relationship with the bloc.

A surge for sterling against the euro following the unexpected outcome of the UK election will boost Irish exporters, but investors say long-held worries about Britain exiting the EU will now swiftly take centre stage.

The departure of Patrick Honohan from the Central Bank caps a week where the Irish public saw the true reality of central bank independence.

The Irish Garden Plant Society Munster Branch will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at the SMA Hall Wilton, starting at 8pm. 

German policy towards the eurozone is steeped in double standards as it has dropped the policies it now wants other member states to pursue, according to a member of the German Council of Economic Experts.

The eurozone cannot survive as a viable economic region in the longer term unless there are moves towards fiscal and political union, according to chief economic commentator with the Financial Times Martin Wolf.

An agreement on a single supervisory mechanism is scheduled to be agreed by the end of this year with legislation due to be put in place before the European Parliament breaks up for elections next year, according to Frank Smets, director general of research at the ECB.

A major cybersecurity conference will take place in Dublin this morning highlighting the issue of cyber crime.

The current policies of austerity and structural reforms are a disaster for the eurozone and unless there is a U-turn in policy soon that includes a growth stimulus and some form of eurobond, then there can be no comprehensive solution to the crisis, said Peter Bofinger, who is a member of the influential German Council of Economic Experts.

There has been a call for a 'green' loan scheme to be established as a means of paying for the retro-fitting of homes.

THE Governor of the Central Bank has said that the best way to achieve stability in Ireland’s banking system is to sell the main banks to overseas players.

THE Governor of the Central Bank has said that the best way to achieve stability in Ireland’s banking system is to sell the main banks to overseas players — but added that he would be “disappointed and surprised” if all of the €35 billion earmarked for the banks, from the IMF/EU bailout, is ultimately needed.

Opposition parties, employers and trade union leaders will hold separate meetings with EU Economics Commissioner Olli Rehn today on the final leg of a two-day trip to Dub

European Commissioner Olli Rehn tonight urged political parties to agree on measures in next month’s Budget.

EU Economics Commissioner Olli Rehn arrives in Dublin today for budget talks with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and the Opposition.

DAVID KELLY and his young family say they have noticed a marked difference in the “comfort” of their 1960s bungalow since they got its exterior insulated – using the state grants available to householders.

IRELAND can become a world leader in sustainable agriculture and food production by 2020 under an ambitious initiative proposed to the Government yesterday.

CONSUMERS could save up to €1,100 on their annual costs to heat and light their home under energy efficient plans unveiled yesterday — and potentially create 32,000 jobs.

YESTERDAY Environment Minister John Gormley said he believed climate change is the most fundamental and far-reaching challenge facing humanity.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has called for the Government to reinstate the scrappage scheme in the upcoming Budget for motorists in order to boost the motoring industry.

CARBON taxes, parking levies and congestion charges should be rolled out to help slash Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, a Dublin-based international think-tank said yesterday.

Carbon taxes, parking levies and congestion charges should be rolled out to help slash Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, it was claimed today.