Livestock VAT Fight: Sinn Féin and Aontú are pushing Budget 2027 to cut the livestock VAT rate at marts, arguing farmers are losing the VAT “difference” on every animal sale after the flat-rate addition fell to 4.5% while marts remain at 4.8%. Water Costs for Veg Growers: Teagasc reports drought-hit vegetable growers paid up to nine times the normal cost to irrigate in July and August, with higher grade-out rates even on irrigated land. Food Prices Risk: Scientists warn El Niño could lift Irish food prices in 2027-2028 as global supply chains tighten. Energy Retrofit Push: Minister Darragh O’Brien says a boiler scrappage scheme worth up to €2,000 per household is headed to Cabinet, targeting oil and kerosene users. Pharma Pay Gap: CSO data shows a 20.5% median male-female earnings gap in Irish pharma and medical tech, with foreign-owned firms dominating employment. EU Grid Control: EU governments resist Brussels’ push for more control over power-grid charges and management, with Ireland’s Presidency seeking compromise. Irish Business & Jobs: Ireland publishes an ineligible occupations list blocking employment permits for 37 job categories, while the Irish Games Fund expands into Development, Prototype and Release strands. Diageo CFO Move: Diageo appoints Joanne Wilson as CFO, replacing Nik Jhangiani, with a board transition expected in 2027. Offshore Wind Research: ORE Catapult launches a project to study how wind farms affect marine mammals in the Celtic Sea.