The country’s competitiveness watchdog has warned that Ireland’s economic recovery and the Government’s commitment to reaching full employment are under “serious and imminent threat” amid an increasingly uncertain global outlook.

A war of words has opened up between the Government and local councils as to whom is to blame for the delay in the building of social houses.

High prices, wages, and competition from EU accession countries and emerging Asian markets are threats to Irish competitiveness, the National Competitive Council said today.

COMPETITION in the telecoms market is about to heat up with another operator announcing expansion plans.

THE Competition Authority was criticised yesterday by its former enforcement director Patrick Massey, who said the watchdog was failing to adequately protect consumers from being ripped off by cartels.