Aengus Cox

Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Ryanair bag sizer is seen at Rome Ciampino Airport in Ciampino, Italy on April 27, 2025

Ryanair pays staff for identifying oversize cabin bags

Ryanair has said that in a bid to "eliminate the scourge" of passengers bringing oversized baggage to the boarding gate, the airline is considering increasing the commission it pays staff for identifying them.

Ireland • 21 Jul 25

CAP battle starts as EU plans to overhaul farmer payments

The idea of the EU giving newer farmers more financial support at the expense of older ones could prove to be a misguided one if it kills off the very farms its trying to protect, writes Aengus Cox.

Analysis and Comment • 20 Jul 25

252 baby product listings taken off online marketplace

252 baby product listings have been removed from online marketplaces including Amazon and Temu as part of a safety sweep from EU consumer authorities, including Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

Ireland • 18 Jul 25

Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products soared by almost 74% in May compared to the same time last year, new CSO figures reveal

Exports jump by 47% in first five months of 2025 - CSO

Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products jumped by almost 74% in May to €13.7 billion when compared with the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Business • 17 Jul 25

Ringfenced EU funding for farming cut by 22% under plans

Ringfenced EU funding for farming would be cut by more than a fifth, while the Common Agricultural Policy fund would be merged together with rural financial supports, under proposals from the European Commission for the bloc's next budget.

Europe • 16 Jul 25

Conservation scheme sees nine curlew released into wild

A group of nine curlew, a bird species that has seen most of its population lost in Ireland since the 1980s, has been reintroduced to the wild on Lough Ree near Athlone as a part of a conservation project.

Environment • 15 Jul 25

Low angle close up colour image depicting a man holding a shopping basked filled with fresh groceries

Sharp rise in food and drink prices over past year

There has been a sharp rise in the prices of a number of food and drink products over the past year, according to latest inflation figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Business • 14 Jul 25

Consumers warned to stop using certain Tower air fryers

Consumers are being warned to stop using certain models of Tower air fryers following a recall from the company.

Business • 10 Jul 25

Jim Gildea and Ciaran Foley stand at a bin at the launch of a new Re-turn initiative in Dun Laoghaire

Re-turn to roll out bin surrounds programme to more towns

A scheme whereby surrounds are added to public bins to allow people to more easily retrieve discarded drink containers is being expanded around the country.

Business • 10 Jul 25

16.7% personal injury award increase will not go ahead

A controversial proposed 16.7% increase in personal injury awards will not go ahead.

Ireland • 09 Jul 25