AGP Executive Report

EV Push: Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien announced the €10m ICE2EV scheme (SEAI-run) launching 1 July, offering €5,000 to scrap older ICE cars (registered 2013 or earlier) and buy new battery EVs, on top of the existing €3,500 grant. Climate Pressure: O’Brien also conceded Ireland won’t meet its 2030 carbon target, raising the prospect of EU fines running into billions. Data Centres vs Power Bills: The EU is urging households to cut electricity use during peak hours as AI data centres strain grids; Ireland is already seeing data centres take over 22% of national electricity, with knock-on cost concerns. Energy Efficiency Rules: The EU’s new Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package brings a rating system and work toward minimum performance standards. Aquaculture Funding Gap: BIM flagged that aquaculture breakthroughs often stall at the “pre-revenue” stage because investors won’t fund long, costly sea trials—highlighting the need for patient capital. Engineering Deal: COWI has acquired Irish consultancy PUNCH Consulting Engineers, boosting its Irish capacity for buildings and infrastructure tied to the green transition. Consumer Safety: The CCPC warned Irish shoppers to stop using a 65W laptop charger adapter sold on Temu due to fire and burn risks. Water Infrastructure: Uisce Éireann welcomed CRU’s RC4 determination to 2029 and outlined major Mayo water and wastewater upgrades.

Renewables & Jobs: Greenvolt Next will create 50 jobs at its Waterford HQ (90 roles overall), expanding its solar and battery work and adding space and new tech at the site. Marine & Offshore Wind: Fugro has won a two-year contract with EirGrid to monitor marine mammal activity off Ireland’s south coast, using seabed sensors to build ecological baselines for offshore wind. Health Insurance Pressure: Ireland’s Health Insurance Authority says premiums rose about 10.6% last year while cover was cut, with more people on restricted orthopaedic plans and higher out-of-pocket risk for major procedures. Mortgage Costs: Central Bank warnings suggest many fixed-rate borrowers will face higher rates as fixes end, with households and banks still “resilient” but lower-income customers most exposed. Trade & Security: The Ukrainian Embassy has raised “serious concern” over alumina exports from Aughinish Alumina to Russia, citing rising volumes and links to Russia’s military-industrial complex. Agriculture Genetics: Dairy Gene Ireland tested 53 bulls in 2026, supporting AI-linked breeding and discounted straw supply to farmers. Policy & Industry Strategy: Minister Helen McEntee heads to an OECD meeting in Paris to push Ireland’s competitiveness agenda, including AI adoption supports and plans for a National AI Office.

Leaving Cert to green jobs: With CAO “change of mind” deadlines passed, coverage points to a 2030 jobs shift toward sustainability, renewables and energy retrofitting—highlighting demand for electricians, plumbers, insulation specialists and BER/heat-pump installers. Transport rail reassurance: Irish Rail rubbishes rumours that new DART carriages are too big for Bray Head tunnels, saying the trains are designed for the existing network and only minor overhead-line works are needed. Sheep sector focus: Teagasc’s National Sheep Conference (18 June, Ballinasloe) puts bluetongue and exotic diseases, flock health and labour on farms, plus outdoor practical workshops. Arts and culture in the Midlands: Harp Media launches the “Harp Cinema Series” with Irish film screenings and filmmaker Q&As in Longford, starting 11 June. Energy and data centres: Reports flag how data-centre growth is pushing energy demand and costs, while policy debate continues over whether centres are being treated as “bogeymen” on bills. Public service broadcasting: SIPTU RTÉ members back a preventive ballot for industrial action if outsourcing increases. Local business expansion: Hub Packaging in Newry buys Faleen Sales in Co Tipperary, extending packaging supply into meat processing.

Irish Manufacturing: AIB’s PMI says May was the sector’s strongest month since April 2022, with output, new orders and hiring all rising as firms front-loaded purchases amid Middle East-linked supply pressures. Climate & Weather Risk: The UN and WMO warn El Niño is likely to return this summer, raising the odds of record heat and extreme weather in Ireland and globally. Energy & Governance: BP has backed Amanda Blanc to lead its search for a new chair again after the abrupt exit of Albert Manifold, amid investor concerns over governance and conduct. Research Funding Row: Nearly 2,000 academics have signed a letter saying Research Ireland’s €4.55bn priorities over-focus on industry needs, sidelining arts, humanities and social sciences. Transport & Local Impacts: The transport minister says Cork Luas sports clubs should get compensation with extra facilities and playing fields as the project’s preferred route faces pushback. Property & Housing: A renovated Phibsborough three-bed semidetached home is listed at €595,000, highlighting ongoing demand for upgraded, energy-improved city housing. Business Growth: Primecore says it’s forecasting $50m revenue by 2028 and expects 150 new jobs across Ireland and the US after 50% revenue growth in six months. Road Safety: RSA data shows deer-related road incidents and insurance claims have been rising since 2019, with year-on-year increases in deer collisions.

Work Permits: Ireland expanded its employment permit system with 32 changes to tackle labour shortages in construction, healthcare, transport and agri-food, including new Critical Skills roles and updated quota rules. Energy Bills: Electric Ireland announced residential electricity and gas price rises, adding pressure on household budgets as debate continues over what’s driving costs. Home Energy Upgrades: Roscommon councillors urged higher SEAI grant amounts and faster payments for older homeowners, arguing many upgrades are too expensive upfront. Manufacturing & Jobs: A report highlights how automated workforce tracking can protect manufacturing margins by reducing overtime waste and scheduling drift. Tech Growth: Irish AI workflow firm Tines reported revenue jumping to $39.6m for the year to Jan 2025, with North America driving sales and headcount rising. Offshore Wind: Fugro won a marine mammal monitoring contract supporting Ireland’s offshore wind buildout. Mining: Cornish Metals completed its first Roskear exploration drill programme, intersecting multiple mineralised structures. Corporate Accountability: Seagate agreed a $175m settlement over alleged concealed sales to Huawei, with the company incorporated in Ireland.

Energy & Grid Investment: BAM wins an ASTI framework role to build SSEN Transmission’s new 400kV Greens substation in Scotland, aimed at unlocking renewable connections and supporting a wider £29bn grid upgrade. Renewables & Offshore Wind: TGS and Geo are set to survey the seabed for the Awel y Môr wind farm in the Irish Sea off Wales, feeding design work for turbines and export cable routes. Data Centres & Household Costs: A new study claims data-centre power demand has already added about €360 to Irish household bills since 2015, with risks of sharper increases as facilities expand. Electricity Prices: Separate reporting flags further residential electricity and gas rises from Electric Ireland, adding to cost-of-living pressure. AI & Work: Irish mortgage-broker and broader labour-impact debate continues at Dublin Tech Summit, with questions over whether AI will boost productivity or displace jobs. Agriculture & Food Security: Macra warns rising horticulture costs threaten Irish fruit and vegetable production, while DAFM reports bluetongue vaccine doses sold to date. Logistics & Trade: Gaston Schul accelerates European growth via acquisitions in Italy and Austria and expanded operations in Poland and France, strengthening customs and trade services across more countries. Sports & Leisure Growth: Ireland’s padel boom keeps spreading, with new courts and council-approved facilities adding to local investment momentum.

Energy & Construction Costs: A Limerick TD says “gouging” is rampant in Ireland’s construction sector as oil-price volatility feeds into weekly jumps for oil-based materials and transport costs. Nuclear Safety Review: Lithuania’s nuclear and radiation watchdog has been praised after an IAEA review for its “robust and mature” safety system and stronger public communication. AI Security & Governance: Anthropic’s Claude Security moves into public beta for enterprise customers, while IBM joins its Glasswing push after 10,000 critical flaws were found; meanwhile AI rules are splintering across multiple legal fights. Local Business & Community: Carrigaholt in Clare has reopened a volunteer-run village shop after 18 months without one, tackling rural access as local outlets keep closing. Agriculture & Livestock: ABP’s demo farm store-lamb system is outlined, showing how lambs are managed through grazing, dosing and drafting targets. Transport & Risk: An Oireachtas briefing hears deer-related road collisions are rising, with insurers reporting hundreds of claims since 2020. Culture & Design: Belfast’s Rebekah Murphy brings Irish dance heritage into her fashion work for Ireland Fashion Week 2026.

IDA & Regional Jobs: A Waterford-focused debate flared after a local claim that only one of 323 IDA FDI projects secured in 2025 landed in Waterford (IBM/Red Hat), with about 75 roles expected—while the South East Economic Monitor says IDA-supported jobs fell in Waterford and rose in Kilkenny, raising questions about whether the agency is actively pushing the city. Transport Disruption: Irish Rail warned of major June bank holiday engineering works, with 18 DART stations closed and no service between Dublin Connolly and Greystones from May 30 to June 1, plus a bus alternative. Energy & Climate: An Post says it hit a 50% carbon emissions cut ahead of schedule (September 2025 vs 2009 levels) while parcel volumes rose 27% to 73m items, supported by fleet electrification. Sanctions & Industry: New data reported that Ireland’s Aughinish Alumina shipped most alumina to Russia in Q1 2026, undermining claims used in EU sanctions arguments. Construction & Crime: A Dublin court heard a €5.1m cannabis haul was imported via coffee tables, with four men charged after a controlled delivery. Hospitality Investment: The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens has begun demolition for a €100m redevelopment into a luxury five-star estate, targeting a 2028 reopening.

Data Centres & Construction: Deco Engineering appoints Maurice Mortell as a non-executive director, bringing data-centre experience to the Navan-based electrical contractor. Modular Building: Irish AI-native EcoModular signs an MoU with IDS and Modul Consult to scale modular construction delivery and joint go-to-market across the GCC and beyond. AI & Privacy: Meta’s Model Capability Initiative faces European privacy scrutiny after reports it may ingest communications involving colleagues outside the US, raising GDPR concerns. Work & Skills: Ibec warns Ireland can’t take a passive approach to AI in the workforce as tech firms cut roles and workers push back. Retail & Consumer Costs: From July 1, Irish online shoppers face higher customs charges under new EU rules, with €3 duty per parcel item plus VAT. Energy & Industry: Aughinish Alumina remains at the centre of sanctions controversy, with new reporting on Russia-bound alumina exports and warnings about job and grid impacts. Transport Disruption: DART services face Bank Holiday engineering works with major station closures and limited rail replacement options.

Sanctions and jobs: Taoiseach Micheál Martin says EU curbs on Russian-owned Aughinish Alumina exports would be “self-defeating,” warning they could hit European supply chains and Limerick jobs, after the company warned of knock-on effects for the Irish electricity grid. Fertiliser squeeze: ICMSA president Denis Drennan says the EU Fertiliser Action Plan “doesn’t understand the scale of the problem,” arguing soaring fertiliser prices and supply worries will cut output and push up food prices, with farmers sceptical of promised support. Energy and renewables pressure: A Monaghan windfarm incident has locals alarmed after a turbine blade failure scattered large fragments, while opposition is also building to proposed tall Leitrim turbines over landscape and living impacts. Transport investment: The €31m N55 realignment at Killydoon in Co Cavan is officially opened, with the project designed to cut through-traffic, improve safety and boost journey reliability. Beef price row: Senator Paraic Brady claims retailers are paying far more than farmers receive, warning of “huge price-gouging,” as Meat Industry Ireland counters that the supply chain is strained by weak export demand. Agriculture safety: Gardaí urge extra caution on roads during silage season, warning against risk-taking around tractors and advising on plough light use. Industry spotlight: Athlone firm Incorpro wins the Client Service Award at the Irish Accountancy Awards, highlighting client care and technology use.

Data Centres & Energy Pressure: Ireland’s debate over data centres is getting louder as reports and commentary link the sector to higher household bills and a “hidden datacentre tax,” while the Tánaiste pushes back against portraying sites as “bogeymen” on energy bills. Power & Industry Skills: Hitachi Energy opened a Glasgow “centre of excellence” expected to create up to 100 roles, underlining the wider grid-upgrade talent race across the UK and Ireland. Jobs Market Mood: Ireland’s hiring confidence has flipped fast in Q1 2026, with employers increasingly favouring temporary and contract work over permanent roles. Energy Infrastructure: Aughinish Alumina warns that sanctions targeting its alumina exports to Russia could destabilise Ireland’s gas and electricity grids, citing its role in grid maintenance and electricity exports. Agriculture Policy: Fine Gael calls for CAP to stay standalone with inflation-indexed payments and simpler systems, while Bord Bia rejects claims it sponsors the UK culinary team instead of supporting Irish chefs. Organic Push: Minister Martin Heydon launched the National Organic Awards 2026 at Bloom, with entries now open for Ireland’s organic farmers and food businesses. Road Safety Works: Donegal County Council secured €4.1m for major N13/N15 reconstruction and safety improvements in Stranorlar and Ballybofey.

Climate & Risk: The WMO warns global temperatures are likely to stay at record levels for the next five years, with an 86% chance at least one year from 2026-2030 will beat 2024’s warmest-on-record mark. Energy Bills & Data Centres: In the Dáil, Mayo TD Paul Lawless says data centres are getting cheaper electricity than households and argues this is driving up bills, citing a report warning of up to €1.4bn more on household electricity bills over the next decade. Housing Supply: CSO figures show 8,408 homes started in Q1 2026 and 7,856 completed, up 32.9% year-on-year, with construction workers rising to 195,600. Water Infrastructure: Uisce Éireann welcomed the CRU’s final determination for Revenue Control 4, setting out water and wastewater investment plans across all 26 counties to 2029, including major works in Cork. EU Regulation & Markets: France warns crypto firms that miss MiCA licensing by June 30 could face blacklisting and prosecution, as EU regulators tighten oversight. Tech & Industry: The EU’s chips push faces a funding gap, with plans now pointing to €120bn to double local semiconductor output by 2030. Agriculture & Costs: Macra says horticulture input costs rose 3.9% (fruit +7.5%, vegetables +4.7%) and warns rising costs are pushing young growers to the brink.

Data Centres & Power Bills: Irish households could face higher energy costs as data centres expand, with NGOs warning bills may rise by hundreds of millions to over €1bn by 2034, driven by gas-linked electricity pricing and the scale of new demand. EU Presidency Priorities: Ireland’s EU Council Presidency programme is set for June, with competitiveness, security and energy flagged, plus a push to spotlight food and nutrition security and an EU-Africa partnership. Climate & Heat Outlook: The UN warns global temperatures are likely to stay near record highs through the next five years, with a high chance of another warmest-ever year before 2031. Nursing Industrial Action: Cork University Hospital theatre nurses are set to be balloted over staffing, time-in-lieu backlogs and patient flow concerns. Banking & Lending: Bankinter Ireland says its lending has topped €5bn, with mortgages making up most of the growth. Payroll Tech Funding: Payslip secures new financing to scale its AI-led global payroll control platform. Agrifood & Farming: Bord Bia’s Bloom highlights organic farming with an “Organic Table” programme and National Organic Awards launch. Housing: New homes at White Pines Central near Rathfarnham go on the market, adding 36 units to the area. Insurance/Markets: SCOR sponsors a new catastrophe bond (Atlas Capital DAC Series 2026-1) for multi-year storm, earthquake and windstorm risk transfer.

Governance & Energy: BP has removed Irish businessman Albert Manifold as chair and director with immediate effect, citing “serious concerns” over governance, oversight and conduct after bullying allegations. Consumer Safety: The CCPC has issued urgent recalls for thousands of TVs in Ireland (NordMende, Toshiba, Technika, Walker) over a fire-risk fuse issue in certain UK power plugs—customers are told to stop using and unplug immediately. Agriculture & Animal Health: DAFM confirmed a bluetongue serotype 3 case in a Tipperary bullock, with warmer weather boosting virus replication via midges. Aviation & Passenger Rights: EU talks on revising air passenger rights are nearing a breakthrough, but Ireland is among countries pressing for compensation and liability thresholds that don’t weaken protections. Offshore Wind & Marine Tech: Dublin studio The Studio of Possible has been appointed by seabed intelligence firm Sulmara to sharpen brand positioning as offshore energy competition heats up. Local Enterprise & Women in Business: Westmeath, Longford and Leitrim LEOs hosted an “AI Advantage” event aimed at helping women-led small businesses use AI to grow. Transport & Active Travel: Portlaoise schools’ low-carbon travel project has cut car-based school journeys by 14% and boosted walking/cycling/scooting, with thousands of student kilometres logged. Rare Diseases & Medicines Access: Families of rare-disease patients rallied at Leinster House calling for a dedicated Budget line for new drugs, changes to reimbursement and wider early access. Maritime Safety: MAIB reports skipper fatigue and an inactive watch alarm contributed to the Loch Fyne grounding and loss of the prawn trawler Crystal Stream.

BP Shockwave: Oil giant BP has abruptly ousted chair Albert Manifold after less than a year, citing “serious concerns” over governance oversight and conduct; interim leadership has been put in place as the company refuses to spell out details. Climate Reality Check: Ireland is forecast to miss its 2030 greenhouse gas cuts badly—at best around half the required reduction—even if additional measures are fully delivered. Food & Farming Pressure: EU ministers are meeting on fertiliser availability as Iran-linked supply disruption raises costs and threatens output, while Ireland’s EPA also flags agriculture emissions could fall only modestly under current plans. Local Growth & Industry: Limerick’s THRIVE Fireplace Site has been picked as a case study for EU “compact cities” regeneration work, and Greencore says profits rose after its €1.4bn Bakkavor merger. Tech & Policy: Digital Infrastructure Ireland warns data-centre expansion elsewhere could dent future corporation tax receipts, while a separate report highlights Ireland’s emissions and implementation gap.

Food Safety Alert: The FSAI has updated guidance on slushy drinks, saying children aged under 10 should not consume glycerol-containing slushes after an EFSA risk review, with retailers told to display permanent warnings. Corporate Governance Shock: BP has abruptly ousted chair Albert Manifold after “serious concerns” over governance, oversight and conduct, appointing Ian Tyler as interim chair and sending BP shares lower. Heat and Health: A record-breaking spring heatwave is driving emergency public-health pressure across Europe, with France reporting seven heat-related deaths linked to the extreme conditions. Tech and Work: Ireland’s Dáil heard claims that big tech firms show “contempt” for industrial relations while using AI as a cover for job cuts, with young workers said to be hit hardest. Policy Watch: The Government is facing renewed calls to reform or disband the Deposit Return Scheme after Dublin City Council reported €500,000 in “bin-raiding” costs.