David Murphy

Economics and Public Affairs Editor

The CSO said the median cost of a property in February was €360,000 nationally

Annual house price growth slows to 8% in February - CSO

Residential property prices are up 8% in the 12 months to February 2025, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Business • 17 Apr

The ESRI report said household disposable income in the south was 18.3% higher than it was in the North

Stronger economic growth in ROI compared to NI - study

The Republic of Ireland has higher wages, stronger economic growth and better living standards than Northern Ireland, according to a new study by the Economic and Social Research Institute.

Ireland • 15 Apr

The Tánaiste said he had made this suggestion to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick when they met in Washington last week

'Inappropriate' for US to hit pharma amid talks - Harris

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said it would be "inappropriate" for the US to hit the pharmaceutical sector with tariffs while it was at the same time negotiating with the EU on the trade relationship.

Business • 15 Apr

US President Donald Trump has U-turned on tariffs and suddenly announced a 90-day pause

Trump buckles in face of bond market pressure

Nobody can take on the bond market and that includes the US President, writes David Murphy.

Analysis and Comment • 10 Apr

People taking mortgages in Ireland are paying an average of 3.79% compared to 3.33% in other countries which use the euro, new Central Bank figures show

Irish mortgage rates fifth most expensive in euro zone

The interest rate on new mortgages offered by banks are half a percentage point lower than they were a year ago, according to new data from the Central Bank.

Business • 09 Apr

The report found asking prices for property rose by 8% over the year

Trade war threat to impact housing market - report

The threat of a trade war will influence how the housing market will perform this year, according to a new report by My Home in association with Bank of Ireland.

Ireland • 08 Apr

There is a perception that Ireland has captured an enormous amount of US pharmaceutical industry over recent decades

Pharma gets a reprieve amid tariffs but not for long

There have been some suggestions that the big pharma companies may have "got to" Donald Trump and warned him of the potential downsides of hitting drug manufactures with tariffs, writes David Murphy.

Analysis and Comment • 04 Apr

US tariff move is first round in trade war with EU

US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 20% tariff on imports from the European Union, including Ireland, has huge consequences.

Analysis and Comment • 03 Apr

The US President's policy is to bring manufacturing and employment back to the US and to stop large corporations paying lower tax in Ireland

5 things to know about Donald Trump's tariffs plan

David Murphy takes a look at how US President Donald Trump's tariffs plan could impact Ireland and Europe and for how long.

Analysis and Comment • 02 Apr

Economic skies darken as Trump prepares pharma tariffs

While the focus of attention on the latest tariff announcement from US President Donald Trump has been on car-manufacturing, his unambiguous confirmation of import taxes on pharmaceuticals are causing most concern for Ireland.

Business • 28 Mar