Brian Finn

Business Journalist

Brian Finn is a Business Journalist and presenter with RTE News across radio, television and online.

At this juncture - barring any major upsets - a rate cut this coming week is regarded as all but inevitable

Are we there yet? ECB on the cusp of cutting rates

The ECB looks to be on the cusp of cutting interest rates, but what kind of rates environment lies ahead and what does it mean for those with mortgages and deposits?

Business • 04 Jun 24

Most lenders here already allow repayments up to the age of 70, but that is being expanded now with the new product offerings

Mortgaged until 80 - is there likely to be much demand?

Two mortgage providers recently extended their mortgage offering to people who demonstrate that they can continue repayments until the age of 80. Is it a gimmick or a sign of things to come as borrowers get older, properties more expensive and lives increasingly complex?

Business • 27 May 24

ICS is to extend repayment periods for borrowers up to the age of 80 where the applicant can demonstrate that they have income to cover repayments

ICS Mortgages to cut mortgage rates for home owners

ICS Mortgages is to cut its three and five year fixed rates for owner occupiers by half a percentage point from the start of next month.

Business • 22 May 24

There has been a surge in innovation in the healthcare sector in recent years, particularly in the areas of diagnostics, precision medicine and clinical trials

Private healthcare - a boom area for investment?

Private healthcare went through a fallow but profitable few years during the pandemic. Rising claims costs and medical cost inflation have returned, putting pressure on margins, but is the sector poised for a boom on the back of a rapidly ageing population?

Business • 07 May 24

Third month of decline in consumer sentiment in a row

There was a marginal fall in consumer sentiment for a third month running in April, the latest consumer sentiment index from the Credit Union has found.

Business • 26 Apr 24

Revenue has today published its annual report, which shows good compliance from tax payers

Over 53,000 firms still using Tax Debt Warehousing scheme

The outstanding debt owned by businesses that availed of Revenue's debt warehousing scheme stood at €1.58 billion this week, according to the tax commissioners in their annual report for 2023.

Business • 25 Apr 24

Having fallen for four months, petrol and diesel prices resumed their ascent in February

'Perfect storm' brings €2 per litre fuel back in prospect

€2 per litre fuel prices are firmly back in sight following the recent restoration of excise duties, with another due in August. €100 oil is also in prospect resulting in something of a 'perfect storm' forming on fuel forecourts.

Business • 22 Apr 24

Domestic energy providers have cut prices in recent months in response to falling wholesale costs on the international markets

Further energy price reductions in sight for households

There could be more good news on the horizon for householders with a potential further reduction in domestic gas and electricity prices.

Business • 18 Apr 24

Lenders offer a lower borrowing rate to those purchasing a more energy efficient home, usually with a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B3 or higher

Are 'green' mortgages a forerunner for wider cuts ahead?

Ahead of the ECB's widely anticipated cuts to interest rates this summer, the banks have already started trimming back their mortgage pricing, with a particular focus on green mortgages. Is it a good omen for cuts ahead or are they going to focus solely on the 'green book'?

Business • 15 Apr 24

There was some concern around the ranking for 'macroeconomics' which fell to 6th position from first place last year

Ireland ninth for business attractiveness - PwC report

Ireland has ranked ninth in a list of more than 30 countries as a location for private business to thrive, representing a drop of two places from last year but is up from 14th place two years ago.

Business • 09 Apr 24