Aengus Cox

Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Bird flu confirmed after dead swans found in east Cork

A swan which was found dead in east Cork earlier this week has tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or bird flu.

Munster • 2 hrs

Close-up of unrecognizable white man checking the price of ground beef at supermarket

Lidl agrees €7.5m deal with Cavan's Liffey Meats

Lidl has agreed a €7.5m deal with Liffey Meats in Cavan that will see Irish beef exported to Lidl stores in up to 26 European markets this year.

Business • 13 Mar

People will now be able to avail of 20% tax relief for expenses incurred for a consultation with a pharmacist

Tax relief on some pharmacy healthcare from tomorrow

From tomorrow, people will be able to claim tax relief of 20% on health expenses for some healthcare provided by pharmacists.

Health • 12 Mar

Eircom to refund over €305,000 in international charges

Eircom will have to refund over €305,000 in international call charges to around 14,800 customers after it failed to clearly make information around exclusions to international call allowances available to them.

Business • 11 Mar

Home-heating oil hikes eight times higher than EU average

Increases in the price of home-heating oil in the aftermath of the Iran war were around eight times higher in Ireland than elsewhere in the European Union.

Business • 11 Mar

Close-up of two smartphones showing payment sent and payment received screens during a mobile transaction, with desserts and drinks in the background at a cafe.

Irish banks launch in-app instant-payment service

A new person-to-person mobile-payment service to rival fintech banks such as Revolut and N26 has officially been launched by AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB.

Ireland • 09 Mar

What is Irish banks' new mobile-payment service Zippay?

A new mobile-payment service from AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB has officially launched. It is called Zippay and will be rolled out to roughly five million customers on a phased basis from tomorrow.

Business • 09 Mar

Health insurance policy brochure with paperwork. There is also a stethoscope, mobile phone and digital tablet in the image.

Is an end to health insurance price hikes in sight?

A trend of multi-annual increases for health insurance policy holders is leading many to question how high policy prices can go and whether the costs are sustainable.

Analysis and Comment • 09 Mar

Five IFA members who staged a sit-in protest inside the reception area of the building cheer outside the office

IFA members end sit-in protest at Bord Bia offices

Members of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) have ended their sit-in protest at Bord Bia, after the State agency's board agreed to an independent expert-led governance review into its operations.

Ireland • 02 Mar

Farmers have been holding a round-the-clock protest outside Bord Bia's offices in Dublin

Minister considering governance review into Bord Bia

The Minister for Agriculture has said he is considering an independent expert-led governance review into Bord Bia, in response to a proposal from the Irish Farmers' Association to examine the State agency's board membership eligibility as well as its various quality-assurance schemes.

Business • 26 Feb