Savings of up to €1bn could be achieved each year if consumers could get over their love of inefficient payment methods including cheques, ATM withdrawals, and receiving social welfare payments in cash.

The widespread use of cheques as a primary means of payment by companies is one of the main barriers to eradicating Ireland’s late payment culture, a Central Bank study indicates.

A MILD recovery in exports will not translate into jobs, according to reports released by the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) and National Irish Bank (NIB).

ALMOST half of Ireland’smultinationals plan to hire staff in the next 12 months.

The growth in Irish exports is likely to be hit by the slowdown in the world economy, according to the latest National Irish Bank FDI report.

IT could be 2014 before the European Central Bank (ECB) raises rates again, according to an Irish Examiner survey.

THE latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures present a mixed picture of Ireland’s economic performance for the first quarter of 2011.

IRELAND’S trade surplus fell from €4.0 billion in March to €2.6bn in April, according to seasonally adjusted trade figures from the CSO.

AT last some external support for this beleaguered economy for its uncompromising stance on the 12.5% corporation tax rate and its mission to get the borrowing rate on the bailout loans cut by 1%.

ANY increase in Ireland’s 12.5% corporate tax rate could see as many as 20,000 jobs lost in the next five years, it has been warned.

IRISH exports should grow by another 7% this year, helping to boost employment levels in foreign-owned multinational companies based here, according to economist Dr Ronnie O’Toole.

Ireland is the second most attractive location in the world behind Singapore for Foreign Direct Investment, according to National Irish Bank (NIB).

BACK in the mid-1950s the then government, not Fianna Fáil, targeted foreign direct investment (FDI) as a core part of our future economic strategy to help move us away from our very heavy dependence on agriculture.

IRELAND is ranked as the second most attractive country globally for foreign direct investment (FDI).

IRISH people took to drowning their sorrows in a bid to escape the faltering economy and bad weather last month.

FROM an Irish standpoint, capitulation on the 12.5% corporation profit tax would set the prospects of the economy back a step too far.

IRELAND must resist any attempt by the EU to change its 12.5% corporation tax rate, the authors of a major report on the state of the multinational sector in Ireland have said.

Almost half of multinationals in Ireland are expecting to grow exports in the next 12 months, according to a new survey released today.

A DROP in the value of exports of 4% month-by-month, coupled with a 3% rise in import value, led to a 9% reduction in Ireland’s trade surplus to just over €3.8 billion in August, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

JOBLESS numbers continued to rise in recent months and more people became long-term unemployed as they entered a second year out of work.

HOUSEHOLDS could save €680 a year each if they reduce their dependence on cash for transactions which is well above the European average.

A return to employment growth will depend on a resumption of domestic demand, according to Dr Ronnie O’Toole, chief economist with National Irish Bank.

FOREIGNERS have been more adversely affected by the downturn than any other social group, according to a study by National Irish Bank.

LEADING economists said yesterday the decline in the euro is good news for the Irish economy because it will give a huge impetus to Irish exports.

BRITAIN’S plan to cut the headline rate of corporation tax over the next five years, starting in next month’s emergency budget, could pose a threat to inward investment into Ireland if the cuts are steep enough.

CONSUMER prices are likely to keep falling for the rest of the year, but at a slower pace.

RETAIL sales rose for the first time in two years in February as car sales surged 30%.

IRELAND is to become more European and less Mediterranean, with big industries opting to locate in cities over rural sites, according to a leading economist.

ECONOMIC growth will return in 2010 ending the dramatic decline of over 10% experienced in the last two years.

Ireland’s dramatic economic decline has now ended, with the economy expected to return to weak growth in 2010, according to the National Irish Bank Economic Commentary - Winter 2009.

IRELAND’S reputation has been damaged globally since the start of the economic downturn, according to the multinationals operating here.

ONE in eight Irish people are on the dole as latest figures show unemployment at its highest level in 12 years.

A DEGREE of confidence is returning to Ireland’s manufacturing sectors, though in small doses, according to a new report.

THE economy is likely to fall by 7%, on a whole, this year, but modest growth could return next year.

IRELAND’s trade surplus hit its highest level for eight years in April, as exports put in a strong showing.

THE financial assets of Irish households fell by 31% last year, to €81.2 billion compared to €117.3bn the year before, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

THE cost of borrowing is expected to be cut to a record low today, resulting in further savings for home owners.

THE ECB will cut interest rates afurther 0.5% in April but will not drop its benchmark rate below 1% this year, according to National Irish Bank, which yesterday published its Quarterly Economic Commentary for Spring 2009.

THE rate of inflation fell by 0.3% in October to 4%, its lowest level in two years and the expectation is that it will go as low as 1%, or even 0%, by the end of next year.

LONG-TERM fears for multinational job security strengthened last night with the announcement by computer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) that it expects to cut up to 133 jobs at its Irish operations over the next two years.

A survey of multinationals in Ireland for 2008 shows that multinationals in Ireland remain confident that Ireland can continue to attract foreign direct investment, though warned that the high cost base in Ireland must be tackled.

IRISH stocks continued their advance yesterday climbing 2.6% as details of the government’s bank guarantee sank in.

BUSINESS leaders and economists have forecast even darker times ahead for employment, with predictions that dole queues will get a lot longer before they get shorter.

DON’T write the economy off just yet was the message this week from Bank of Ireland.