Aengus Cox

Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The BPFI data shows there were 3,356 first-time buyer mortgage approvals in July

Value of mortgage approvals hit almost €1.8bn in July

The value of mortgage approvals reached almost €1.8 billion in July which is the highest figure since 2011, according to latest figures from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).

Business • 29 Aug 25

A number of parcels delivered to a house

What's the tax change for parcels being sent to the US?

From today, a long-standing tax-free allowance from the United States for parcel contents valued at less than $800 (€685) being posted from Europe is ending.

Ireland • 29 Aug 25

A sign with VHI on it and a stylised heart

Vhi to increase prices by average of 3% from 1 October

Vhi, the country's largest health insurer, is to increase the prices of its policies by an average of 3% from October.

Business • 26 Aug 25

A tractor parked beside a marquee at the launch of the National Ploughing Championships.

National Ploughing Championships launched in Co Offaly

The countdown is on for the return of Europe's largest outdoor event involving prize-winning animals, millions of euro worth of high-tech farm machinery and the smell of fresh brown bread.

Leinster • 25 Aug 25

The compliance notice states that 'in all future instances' Donal Skehan must make it clear 'where a trader has paid for the promotion of a product or service' in one of his social media posts (File image)

Skehan issued CCPC compliance notice over paid promotion

Celebrity chef Donal Skehan has been issued with a compliance notice by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission over his failure to properly label a post on his Instagram account as a paid promotion.

Business • 25 Aug 25

What's behind the recent spike in listeria recalls?

In recent weeks, there have been at least seven listeria-related food recalls affecting products such as spinach, mixed leaves, chicken & pasta ready meals, coriander, hummus, as well as various types of cheese. But what is behind the recalls?

Analysis and Comment • 24 Aug 25

An Post to maintain parcel services to US despite new tax

An Post has said it will maintain parcel services to the US, despite the imposition of new taxes from the US government on parcels entering the country.

Business • 22 Aug 25

Irish Life Health latest insurer to announce price hikes

Irish Life Health, which has around 500,000 customers, has announced a 3% average rise in the cost of its plans for adult health insurance policies from October.

Business • 21 Aug 25

200 hundred people at a public meeting in Dundrum to address local concerns surrounding a planning application for a mobile drone delivery hub

Around 200 attend public meeting over drone delivery hub

Around 200 people have attended a public meeting in Dundrum this evening to address local concerns surrounding a planning application for a mobile drone delivery hub in the Dublin suburb.

Business • 21 Aug 25

Laya to increase health insurance prices from October

Laya Healthcare is to increase the prices of its health insurance polices by an average of 4.5% from the start of October

Ireland • 15 Aug 25