Brexit

UK reforms finance to exploit Brexit and boost growth

Britain set out 30 measures to overhaul the financial sector today, including a repeal of 'burdensome' EU rules the government says will unlock investment and maintain the City of London as one of the most competitive financial hubs in the world.

Business • 09 Dec 22

Many business leaders believe their views are being overlooked when it comes to trade deals and new trading arrangements

Half of NI businesses believe protocol supports growth

Half of businesses in Northern Ireland believe the Northern Ireland Protocol is supporting growth but a third say it creates difficulties for them, according to an industry survey.

Ireland • 08 Dec 22

EU financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness

EU ramps up moves to limit financial link with London

The European Union published three draft laws today to lift economic growth by deepening its capital market through less reliance on post-Brexit London, cutting red tape on company listings and streamlining insolvency rules.

Business • 07 Dec 22

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton Harris earlier this year

'Disappointment' as power-sharing fails for fifth time

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said he was disappointed but not surprised that Stormont's politicians had failed for a fifth time to restore power-sharing.

Ulster • 07 Dec 22

Ursula von der Leyen told the Dáil that 'Brexit will not become an obstacle on the path of reconciliation in Ireland'

Important message as von der Leyen lays down markers

While Ursula von der Leyen said that "Brexit will not become an obstacle on the path of reconciliation in Ireland" making that a reality will be easier said than done, writes David Murphy.

Analysis and Comment • 02 Dec 22

Agreement has been struck at EU level to enhance post-Brexit enforcement powers through trade tariffs if the British government breaches its side of the agreement

EU retaliatory trade measures a necessary step - Govt

A step by the EU to prepare retaliatory trade measures in the event of the UK triggering its Northern Ireland Protocol Bill is viewed by the Government as a necessary step but one which it hopes will not be used.

Brexit • 01 Dec 22

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressing a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas

Von der Leyen says no hard border on island of Ireland

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has told a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas that there can be no hard border on the island of Ireland.

Ireland • 01 Dec 22

The EU has wanted to end heavy reliance on London-based clearing houses, such as London Stock Exchange Group's, for clearing euro-denominated interest rate swaps

EU plans for post-Brexit rules for derivatives clearing

Banks and other market participants in the European Union will have to prove to regulators that they are not overly reliant on clearing houses in London for processing their derivatives transactions, an EU draft document seen by Reuters showed.

Business • 28 Nov 22

Although Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain in 1713, Madrid has long wanted it back in a thorny dispute

Spain, EU propose removing Gibraltar border fencing

Madrid and Brussels have approached the British government with a proposal for removing the border fence between Spain and Gibraltar in order to ease freedom of movement, Spain's top diplomat has said.

Brexit • 25 Nov 22

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed the Confederation of British Industry at its annual gathering in Birmingham today

UK needs more migrant labour, says business group

Britain needs more migrant labour to boost productivity as it faces a toxic mix of soaring inflation and shrinking growth, the country's main lobby group warned today.

Business • 21 Nov 22

Rishi Sunak said he wished to be 'unequivocal' that the UK 'will not pursue any relationship with Europe that relies on alignment with EU laws' under his stewardship

Sunak: UK will not realign with EU laws under my watch

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted the UK will not realign with EU laws under his watch as his government seeks to sink speculation it is weighing up a Swiss-style relationship with Brussels.

Brexit • 21 Nov 22

The PSNI says loyalist paramilitaries helped organise some anti-protocol rallies during the past year and fears have been raised that their opposition could escalate

Growing anger in loyalist ranks over protocol and Govt

Police in Northern Ireland say there is no evidence that loyalist paramilitary groups are preparing to end their ceasefires, despite increasingly hostile rhetoric and threats against Irish Government ministers in recent weeks, writes Vincent Kearney.

Analysis and Comment • 21 Nov 22

Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris will also be allowed to cut the salaries and expenses of NI politicians

UK 'correct' to defer Stormont election, says Taoiseach

The Taoiseach has said that the UK government was "correct" to defer a fresh Stormont election.

Ulster • 21 Nov 22

A Swiss-style relationship between the EU and the UK was reported in The Sunday Times

UK minister denies report of Swiss-style links with EU

British health minister Steve Barclay has said that he does not recognise a report that the government wants to move towards a Swiss-style relationship with the European Union.

Brexit • 20 Nov 22

Podcast: Brexit Republic - Aiken To Join (1965-69)

Brexit • 18 Nov 22

Zurich's domestic Irish insurance business, which employs 1,100 people, will not be affected by the move, the company said

Zurich's Brexit move could impact 110 Irish jobs

Zurich Insurance plans to shift its European Economic Area holding company to Germany from Ireland following Britain's departure from the European Union, the boss of the insurer's European division said.

Business • 18 Nov 22

21% of firms surveyed said their business was in decline in the third quarter of this year, compared with 18% during the same period last year

Business growth slows amid rising costs

While businesses are still expanding, new data from Intertrade Ireland shows that the pace of growth is slowing as companies feel the pressure of rising prices.

Business • 16 Nov 22

Podcast: Brexit Republic - Protocol Pragmatism

Brexit • 11 Nov 22

Power-sharing has not been restored following elections last May

NI election deadline to be extended by up to 12 weeks

The law is to be changed to defer an Assembly election in Northern Ireland by six weeks, with an option to extend by a further six weeks.

Ulster • 09 Nov 22

Maroš Šefčovič warned that unilateral action by the UK government would have "serious" consequences (Stock image)

Protocol Bill called 'pig of a law' as clears next step

The UK government's attempts to effectively tear up parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol have cleared their latest hurdle in parliament.

Brexit • 07 Nov 22

Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England

Carney insists that Brexit has taken toll on UK economy

Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has doubled down on his claims Brexit has taken a toll on the pound and sparked higher inflation.

Business • 04 Nov 22

The fortunes of Irish firms exporting to the UK rely on two things - the rate of exchange between the euro and sterling and sentiment among British consumers

Exporters keep anxious eye on sterling movements

Some economists and bankers are warning that the US economy and the global economy will enter recession by the middle of 2023.