AGP Executive Report

Aviation & Climate: A new report warns Dublin Airport could burn through its remaining carbon “fair share” by 2034, with expansion plans set to drive emissions sharply higher and force tougher cuts elsewhere in Ireland’s economy. AI & Regulation: US President Donald Trump dismissed calls for AI “guardrails” as a “sick conspiracy,” while tech leaders and US lawmakers push for safety oversight—keeping the AI policy fight front and centre during his Ireland visit. Energy Markets: Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, as diesel prices stay under pressure amid wider Middle East disruption and Red Sea risks. Irish Business & Trade: The Lancaster Spirits Company welcomed UK government GI protection for “English Whisky,” giving the sector clearer legal footing as it targets export growth. Cyber & Jobs: A growing wave of recruitment scams is exploiting AI and fake job listings, with fraudsters using LinkedIn-style outreach to trick applicants. EU Digital Rules: The proposed EU Kids Act could require age checks for certain online games and platforms, adding new compliance pressure for services used by Irish consumers.

AI & Industry Pressure: US President Donald Trump doubled down on rapid AI development at his Doonbeg golf resort, dismissing safety warnings as “negative forces” while tech leaders argue for guardrails and a slower pace. Energy & Supply Chains: Oil jumped after Saudi Arabia shut a key east-west pipeline following attacks, while Hormuz talks were postponed—raising fresh costs and uncertainty for European industry. Irish Renewables: Greencoat Renewables returned to profit, reporting €11.9m after-tax earnings in the first half, with Ireland driving most revenues. Retail Jobs Fight: Mayo retailers backed Retail Excellence Ireland’s push to cut employer PRSI in Budget 2027, warning it could protect jobs for young workers. EU Transport Data: Eurostat showed EU rail freight fell again in 2025, with Ireland among the steepest decliners, pointing to infrastructure and transit shifts. Local Business Support: Moneycube launched a Limerick workplace roadshow offering free retirement-planning consultations to help employers engage staff.

Energy & Trade Disruption: US President Donald Trump told reporters in Doonbeg that Ukraine should stop striking Russian diesel refineries, blaming Kyiv for a global diesel shortage—while the wider picture includes shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz and reduced Russian refining capacity. Middle East Shipping Shock: Fighting in Yemen has intensified as Houthis seize territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, raising fresh risks for Red Sea shipping and Saudi oil flows. AI Policy Clash: Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson played down calls for AI slowdowns or a moratorium, arguing Congress should not impose limits that could let China pull ahead, as industry leaders debate guardrails and pace. Irish Business & Consumer Impact: A CCPC update says pension ownership in Ireland is up 17% since auto-enrolment, but one in five still lack retirement plans—highlighting a continuing gap in financial preparedness. Local Economy & Planning: Compulsory purchase orders are back in the spotlight for major transport and greenway projects, with Cork and Dublin landowners facing new notices and questions over rights and compensation. Sports & Tourism: Shane Lowry powered to an 11-shot record win at the Irish Open at Trump International in Doonbeg, adding to the week’s high-profile Ireland spotlight.

Middle East Energy Shock: An Iranian commercial ship was hit near the Strait of Hormuz, killing one and injuring four, as UK maritime monitors also reported a separate projectile strike—raising fresh oil-supply fears after Saudi shut its East-West pipeline following drone attacks. Irish Energy Bills & Support: With colder weather biting, Irish households face higher electricity and heating costs, while social welfare schemes like the Additional Needs Payment are highlighted for help with essential fuel and repairs. Farm Profit Pressure: ICMSA warns farm incomes are “wildly erratic”, warning of a succession crisis unless Budget 2027 brings measures to improve predictability, including a farm deposit scheme. Beef & Dairy Emissions Research: Teagasc Grange research says rapeseed cake can cut enteric methane by 9% in beef cattle without harming growth or feed efficiency. Property Policy Debate: Government talks on scrapping 1% stamp duty for first-time buyers spark mixed reactions, with concerns it could fuel house-price rises. Cyber Crime: A Conti ransomware developer linked to attacks on 1,000+ organisations gets a four-year US prison sentence. Local Governance: Dublin Youth Council members were sworn in, adding a new cohort of young voices to city decision-making.

US-Ireland Diplomacy & Trade: Trump met Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin and said a Canada deal could come “fairly soon,” while repeating claims the US has been “ripped off” for decades under CUSMA—raising fresh uncertainty for Irish exporters tied into North American supply chains. Middle East Energy Shock: Trump also said the Houthis “don’t want” US involvement, but Saudi Arabia shut its East-West Petroline after drone strikes, a move that risks higher oil prices and tighter energy costs for Europe. EU Sanctions on Israel Settlements: A group of 12 countries including Ireland signalled plans for national or EU restrictions on goods from West Bank settlements, with an opinion piece arguing the approach is more political than legally binding. Health & Environment: A UCD-led study presented in Barcelona found microplastics in 66% of lung cancer patients’ lung fluid/tissue samples versus 46% without cancer, adding urgency to Ireland’s public health and pollution debate. Irish Business & Society: With winter approaching, Bord Gáis and Energia rate rises are set to hit around 1,000,000 Irish customers, alongside reminders of supports for households facing heating and electricity arrears. Sports Spotlight: Shane Lowry’s Irish Open lead swung late on Saturday as Jacob Skov Olesen forced a share at the top ahead of Sunday’s final round.

Energy & Shipping: US President Donald Trump said Yemen’s Houthis have asked Washington not to intervene as they tighten control around the Bab el-Mandeb strait, while Saudi Arabia temporarily shut a key East-West oil pipeline after drone attacks linked to Iraq—raising fresh alarm for global oil flows. Irish Politics & Unity: Trump told Taoiseach Micheál Martin he’d “love to see” a unified Ireland and suggested it “may as well happen now,” while also wading into the Falklands dispute by saying he could “settle” it if called. Household Costs: A new €420 Free Electricity Allowance cash payment (monthly €35 over 12 months) is rolling out for eligible Irish households, including direct support for older people and qualifying under-70s. Aviation & Business: Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary refused to apologise for calling rival airlines “high-fare rapists,” despite backlash from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Packaging & Industry: Mondelēz says it has replaced rigid plastic cookie trays with FSC-certified paper across more than 115 products in Europe, cutting virgin plastic use by about 2,200 tonnes a year. Health & Research: A UCD-led study presented in Barcelona found microplastics in 66% of lung cancer patients’ lung samples versus 46% without cancer, adding pressure for clearer public-health action.

EU Trade Sanctions: The UK, followed by France and other partners, has moved to ban trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with measures targeting specific companies and services tied to settlement expansion. Energy & Bills: Ireland’s Green Party is pushing a €2.5bn “fossil fuel inflation fund” for solar panel installs and targeted energy credits, as households brace for further price pressure. Dairy & Agribusiness: A new Ploughing-focused Aberdeen Angus push brings producer support and factory engagement, while a separate agribusiness discussion asks where the value sits across Ornua and Enterprise Ireland. Farming Next Gen: Young farmers in Ireland are adapting fast to climate and cost shocks, using digital tools and new enterprises to keep farming viable. Energy Infrastructure: Transport Infrastructure Ireland has appointed an AECOM-Jacobs JV to deliver the MetroLink programme, underlining continued investment in Irish transport delivery. Public Sector Tech: Government plans to use AI to replace parts of middle management and admin roles are framed as a long-term cost-control move rather than mass layoffs. Media Regulation: A coalition of screen producers, including Screen Producers Ireland, is urging governments to update streaming rules to protect local production. Whisky Branding: English Whisky has secured protected GI status, a boost for Irish-adjacent drinks trade and tourism interest.

Drone & Farming Tech: Drone as a Service says it has Ireland Aviation Authority approval for drone-applied fertiliser, lime and biostimulants, aiming to cut costs and reduce soil damage while improving precision on sensitive land. Transport Infrastructure: Transport Infrastructure Ireland has appointed the Jacobs-AECOM JV as programme delivery partner for Dublin’s MetroLink, targeting better governance and delivery certainty for a segregated metro with 16 stations and major interchange links. Construction & Housing: Dublin City Council has moved ahead with 562 homes on Parkgate Street, including a 30-storey “landmark” block set to become Ireland’s tallest building under the state’s Project Tosaigh model. Energy & EU Politics: V4 leaders, including Poland’s Donald Tusk, warn they will block EU measures that raise energy prices, while ECB policymaker Gabriel Makhlouf flags that further rate hikes could hit growth. Regional Development: Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen argues the Midlands needs infrastructure and conditions to grow itself, not just grant-led redistribution. Agriculture & Events: The National Ploughing Championship returns to Tullamore (Sept 15-17) with a bigger enterprise showcase and a strong family-led turnout. Business & Services: Accenture has promoted nine managing directors in Ireland, spanning health, AI in life sciences, utilities and audit. Retail & Ecommerce: Furniture Connect claims its AI helps furniture brands launch 100+ products a week by turning supplier data into sales-ready imagery and content. Public Safety: Gardaí issue temporary drone restrictions ahead of Donald Trump’s Ireland visit, with UAS detection systems in place.

Data Centres & Energy Policy: Energy minister Darragh O’Brien defended Ireland’s growing data-centre footprint, arguing IT is a major “industrial” sector and that the jobs impact is significant, while also responding to a proposed CRU trade-off: discounted network tariffs in return for accepting intermittent supply cuts during peak demand. Child Poverty Measurement: The Taoiseach challenged the ESRI’s poverty-line methodology, sparking a closer look at the “60% of median real disposable income” benchmark and what it means for families. Food Safety & Manufacturing: A small Cavan meat plant, Bartkus Uncle Meat Limited, has been hit with an FSAI closure order after serious hygiene, pest-control and food-safety management failures. Agriculture & CAP Pressure: The IFA warned farmers can’t be “sacrificed” in EU budget and CAP talks, warning of major payment cuts and potential job losses if proposals proceed. Horse Trafficking Crackdown: Gardaí, with Europol and other agencies, targeted a Europe-wide horse-trafficking network suspected of forged passports and microchip manipulation, with searches across multiple Irish counties. EU Procurement & Trade: The European Commission proposed procurement rules that could let public buyers exclude suppliers from countries outside EU procurement agreements, with China-focused criticism from experts. Skills & Agri-Science: ICBF research at Tully highlighted performance-testing results linking top beef value animals to profitability, reinforcing the value of breeding and measurement.

Food & Regulation: Caobisco’s president Tobias Bachmüller opened the World Confectionery Conference in London, flagging tougher EU rules like EUDR and supply-chain strain, while noting Ireland is part of its 15,000-strong SME-heavy membership. Agri Tech & Farming: ZenaTech says it has won Irish Aviation Authority SORA approval to expand drone-based precision crop and soil nutrient application services across Irish farmland. Finance & Food Manufacturing: Glanbia has named Chang Smith as CFO designate from 10 September, as Mark Garbey retires in March. Energy Costs & Inflation: InterTradeIreland reports spiralling energy bills are the top challenge for 49% of Irish firms, with 36% absorbing costs; separate CPI data shows inflation hit 3.7% in August, driven by energy and housing. EU Farm Policy: An Irish MEP warns the European Parliament could scrap a key CBAM safeguard, risking higher costs for farmers. Banking for Farmers: Bank of Ireland will highlight AI tools, sustainability-linked loans and Google certificate scholarships for farmers at Ploughing. Transport & Safety: Amazon has lodged plans for a new transatlantic fibre cable landing in Ireland, aimed at growing AI traffic. Aviation & Consumer Impact: Ryanair says it will dispute claims a passenger’s body was sucked out after a window broke mid-flight.

Airport Growth: Shannon Airport is Ireland’s fastest-growing major airport for a third straight month, with July passenger numbers up nearly 9% year-on-year to over 280,000, driven by new summer routes to Warsaw, Madrid, Poznan, Rome and Frankfurt. Agritech at Ploughing: Manitou will debut its first electric agricultural telehandler, the MLT 625e, at Ploughing, while Merlo, Corvus and YTO are also lining up new machinery showcases and dealer pushes. Dairy & Exports: Tirlán is set to supply butter for Costco’s Kirkland private label in the US, a potential shake-up for Irish butter exports and pricing power. Farming Costs & Policy: The ECB is widely expected to lift rates again, with energy-led inflation still feeding into borrowing costs; meanwhile CAP direct payment entitlements are under pressure as Ireland seeks alignment on future farm payments. Beef & Dairy Governance: The IFA renewed its call for Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin to step down over Brazilian beef imports, as Sinn Féin presses for scrutiny of Bord Bia’s non-compliant spending. Local Industry & Tourism: Galway City Museum redevelopment has started on the €19m project, with Fáilte Ireland funding €12.6m, while Galway City Council has been shortlisted for national local government awards on housing and inclusion. Rural Health & Safety: Contractors warn drug use among young farmers is escalating, with concerns that drug money is being used to fund new machinery.

Irish Housing Delivery: The Beauchamps Housing Conference in Dublin heard calls to turn policy into homes, with ministers stressing momentum but warning delivery still needs planners, builders and local authorities aligned. Stamp Duty & Homebuying: Tánaiste Simon Harris said there are no plans to remove stamp duty for first-time buyers in Budget 2027, despite Fianna Fáil pressure. Energy Storage & Grid Build: Jacobs has been appointed to support EnergyPathways’ proposed MESH long-duration storage project, adding planning, consenting, environmental and grid-connection work as approvals progress. Data Centres & Power Stress: A UN warning says AI data centres are growing faster than electricity infrastructure, raising reliability risks as demand spikes. Cybersecurity Funding: Irish payments cybersecurity firm ZeroRisk raised $10m Series A to expand its merchant cyber risk platform for banks and payment providers. Dairy & Food Industry: The IFA urged a recall of Brazilian beef in Irish cold stores after an EU-wide ban, citing public health concerns. Biotech & Health Tech: Trinity Biotech’s Trinovium signed a contract with Red Team Investments for direct-to-chip liquid cooling solutions and cooling fluids for an AI/HPC modular data centre pilot. Agriculture & Sustainability Campaign: A National Dairy Council campaign swapped roles between a Tipperary dairy farmer and an Olympic sprinter to promote sustainable yogurt.

Trade Curbs on Israeli Settlements: Britain, France and Canada move to ban goods from West Bank settlements, with a wider 12-country push tightening restrictions and targeting services tied to settlement expansion; Ireland is among those backing measures, as Israel retaliates by shutting the UK consulate in Jerusalem and expelling diplomats. Energy Costs Squeeze SMEs: InterTradeIreland reports half of Irish SMEs see energy as their biggest challenge; one in three say they must absorb higher bills, while only a small share invest in renewables or storage. Climate & Farming Pressure: The Climate Change Advisory Council warns Ireland will “grossly fail” its tree-planting target and says farmers face sharper swings between heavy rain, drought and heat, calling for a new farm-by-farm climate-risk tool. Aviation Security Check: Gardaí investigate reports of a large unidentified drone off the Wicklow coast, raising security questions ahead of a US presidential visit. Public Transport Automation Debate: SIPTU and drivers discuss how automated trains and buses could reshape MetroLink and staffing in Ireland. Healthcare Data Milestone: Ireland and UK endoscopy services pass 15 million procedures logged since 2015, highlighting accreditation and training progress. Agribusiness Spotlight: FBD Young Farmer of the Year names Shane Halpin (Dublin) as winner, with finalists announced ahead of the awards. Food Retail Expansion: Holy Moly’s smashed avocado range launches in Australia via Woolworths, marking its first listing outside Europe.

Water Infrastructure: Uisce Éireann is carrying out critical overnight pipeline repairs in Drogheda from 10pm Friday to 6am Saturday, to protect drinking water for 45,000 people, with possible supply interruptions across surrounding areas. Consumer & Competition: The CCPC has launched legal action against Ticketmaster over alleged misleading practices in the 2024 Oasis ticket sales, including “platinum” tickets and unclear pricing. Energy & Policy: Minister Martin Heydon is pushing for a “partial general approach” on the next CAP by end of October while hosting EU agriculture ministers at Dublin Castle, with research and innovation central to the livestock and protein plans. Climate Risk: UCC researchers have published a national coastal exposure map showing thousands of people in Dublin and Galway living within 500 metres of “very high exposure” coastline. Geothermal Development: A Dublin Seismic Survey will use non-invasive techniques to map geothermal potential up to 3km beneath the city. Agriculture Markets: Beef quotes remain firm as cattle numbers tighten, with base prices reported around €6.40/kg for bullocks and €6.50/kg for heifers. Business & Finance Tech: AccountsIQ has partnered with Deloitte Ireland Corporate Finance to automate financial reporting for mid-market firms. Automotive Deal: Hugo Loonam Motors has been appointed an official INEOS dealer in Ireland, bringing INEOS commercial and passenger vehicles to Co Offaly.

Data Centres & Energy: Savills says Johor Bahru has surged to 1,310MW of live data-centre IT capacity, with Malaysia the fastest-growing emerging market as power and land constraints push expansion across the region. Crime & Finance: Ireland’s Criminal Assets Bureau says organised gangs rent private vaults to hide crypto keys and seed phrases, alongside cash and valuables, as new EU rules loom to tighten controls on private wallets and large cash transactions. Work & Technology: A UCD/NERI survey finds about a third of Irish workers are using AI at work, with most saying it improves output and only a tiny share wanting curbs. Housing Supply: Applications are open for cost rental homes in Donabate (34 homes from €1,330) and Balbriggan (24 homes from €1,100), both aimed at easing pressure on renters. Transport & Infrastructure: MetroLink’s Ringsend replacement pool—€43m—has been approved to replace the Markievicz leisure centre ahead of demolition for the rail project. Agri & Industry Skills: At Ploughing 2026, farmers will see new tech from automatic RFID calf feeders to drone services and agri-spraying and spreading options. Equality & Pay: Next has won an appeal overturning a ruling that forced equal pay between retail and warehouse staff, citing recruitment and retention pressures.

Data Centres & Energy: The CRU is consulting on discounted gas connections for new data centres, but only if operators accept planned supply curtailments during peak demand—aimed at protecting Ireland’s security of supply. Corporate Deals: Vertiv, advised by McCann FitzGerald on Irish law, is set to buy UtilityInnovation Group for about $1.45bn upfront plus potential earnout, expanding Vertiv’s microgrid and behind-the-meter power capabilities via UIG’s Dublin base. Payments Fraud: The Central Bank reports Irish payment fraud jumped 27% to €179.04m in 2025, with authorised push payment scams now 45% of fraud value. Consumer & Competition: Ticketmaster faces charges over alleged misleading pricing and “Platinum” ticket practices tied to Oasis Croke Park shows, following CCPC action. Housing & Planning: Carlow’s council has agreed all 48 homes at Foran’s Way will be allocated to council tenants, reversing a prior plan to sell many units privately. Agriculture & Trade: An IFA push for expanded farm supports is heading into Budget 2027 talks, while CAP 2023-2027 impacts and the next CAP’s funding squeeze remain in focus. Transport & Security: Garda and Colombian police have signed a cooperation deal targeting international drug trafficking linked to Ireland, including West Cork. Business & Industry Leadership: Perigus Energy appoints Tom O’Brien as independent chair and upgrades senior roles in Cork as it scales renewables delivery. Civic & Local: Dublin traffic restrictions are in place for EU agriculture minister talks, with rolling road closures and localised parking limits.