MOST young adults are targeting their late 50s for early retirement, even though the majority do not have a pension in place.

THE Irish life assurance arm of international financial services group, Zurich — that was up until recently Eagle Star Life — has reported a 12% like-for-like decline in new business sales for the first half of the year to €92.4 million.

The introduction of mandatory pensions in Ireland would increase coverage but the pension system could collapse as a result according to the Eagle Star pensions director.

A BRITISH minerals expert yesterday defended his valuation of a State-owned sand and gravel property in Co Wicklow, sold privately to the Roadstone company in 1990 for £1.25 million (€1.58m).

FORMER senior Roadstone executives told the Moriarty Tribunal yesterday there was no evidence of political interference when the company privately bought State lands in Co Wicklow that contained large sand and gravel deposits 15 years ago.

FORMER Energy Minister Bobby Molloy told the Moriarty Tribunal yesterday he was unaware his predecessor had given a Dáil commitment that State lands in Co Wicklow would be sold by public tender.

THE Moriarty Tribunal yesterday gave details of its latest probe into possible links between former Taoiseach Charles J Haughey and the private sale of State lands in Wicklow to the Roadstone company.

THERE will be no spending spree when the Special Savings Incentive Account (SSIA) scheme comes to an end, according to a new survey by investment managers Eagle Star.