AGP Executive Report

Tobacco & Public Health Policy: Two economists argue the Philippines should use risk-proportionate taxes on vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches to cut smoking while reducing incentives for illicit trade. Local Business & Jobs: St James’s Hospital marks five years of CAR-T in Ireland, with 150 patients treated since 2021, highlighting growing capacity for advanced cancer care. Healthcare Access: Cavan–Monaghan’s integrated health area cut children’s audiology waiting times from 71 weeks to four-to-six weeks by April 2026, with Monaghan Hospital also boosting injury-unit activity and diagnostics. Irish Retail & Consumer Policy: A coalition including Applegreen, McDonald’s, Supermac’s and others is lobbying against a planned levy on disposable takeaway cups, warning it should be scrapped. Transport & Industry: Ireland’s EV momentum continues as battery-electric cars hit 26% of new registrations in July, signalling a shift in consumer demand. Food & Agriculture: UK bluetongue BTV-3 cases rise, with vets urging vaccination as the only way to protect herds and flocks. Trademark Fight: Supermac’s loses another EU trademark bid against McDonald’s “Big Mac,” though it can still trade under its name in Ireland.

Livestock Export Pressure: Independent Ireland is calling a public meeting in Athlone on 15 August to discuss the “growing crisis” after Brittany Ferries said protests at Portsmouth Port pushed it to end live livestock exports from Ireland to mainland Europe, with organisers arguing 20–25 activists shouldn’t be able to derail a vital trade. Aviation Safety Scrutiny: An Aer Lingus pilot investigation found fatigue and an unstable approach into Dublin Airport contributed to an excessive bank angle and a go-around, highlighting how performance can slip during critical phases. Data Centres & State Narrative: The Department of Enterprise denies it tried to “predetermine” findings in a data-centre value study, after FOI material showed changes to a draft report and concerns about energy and water impacts. Energy Grid Readiness: Europe’s grid operators are preparing for a solar eclipse-driven dip in solar output, with operators coordinating to keep supply stable for businesses and households. Solar & Climate Risk for Industry: Climate-linked extremes are reshaping summer operations across Europe, from wildfire disruption to lower river levels affecting travel and power generation. Irish Food & Farming Innovation: A dairy trial in New Zealand suggests plantain in grazing can cut nitrate leaching without hurting farm performance—an approach that could interest Irish agribusiness facing fertiliser scrutiny. Brand Battles: Supermac’s has won another UK trademark ruling against McDonald’s, a boost for its expansion plans in Britain. Electric Vehicles Uptick: Irish EV adoption hit an all-time high, reinforcing momentum in the country’s transport electrification push.

Fuel & Transport Costs: Drivers are being warned diesel prices could climb back toward record levels as planned fuel tax increases near, with Fuels for Ireland estimating an extra 35c/litre by January if excise cuts are fully reversed. Water Infrastructure: Ballaghaderreen is set for a €3.8m wastewater treatment upgrade as Uisce Éireann begins works to boost resilience, pumping and monitoring to protect local waterways. Packaging Compliance: The EU’s PPWR rules start applying from 12 August, forcing food-contact packaging makers to track PFAS limits and produce a Declaration of Conformity per packaging type—turning compliance into a data-and-document trail across suppliers. Vape Tax: Ireland is considering a further rise in the E-liquid Products Tax after it raised €22m in nine months, with changes likely to be discussed for the October Budget. Agri & Rural Industry: The Tullamore Show expects up to 80,000 visitors and a €180,000 prize fund, while Ploughing preparations in Offaly are ramping up ahead of September. Dairy & Livestock: Marcel Egli is named judge for the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow Competition in Virginia on 19 August. Real Estate Sustainability: A new push in commercial property is shifting sustainability from reporting to real operational performance using better building data. Data Centres Debate: New York’s data-centre moratorium raises the question of whether Ireland will follow as Dublin’s data-centre concentration keeps growing.

Car Finance Watch: Irish consumers borrowed nearly €300m for new cars in the first quarter, with car-loan drawdowns up 14.4% to €296m, suggesting many buyers are still turning to the secondary market. Agri Payments: Over 1,400 farmers are still waiting on ACRES payments under the CAP environmental scheme, with Mayo the biggest hold-up at 205 participants. Data Centre Power Push: Partners Group has agreed to back AVK Power Solutions with more than $1bn to scale microgrids for the data centre market, including a newly launched 110MW microgrid at a Dublin site. Food & Drink Industry: Diageo is set to invest just under $1bn in Guinness from 2026-2029 to double production capacity and expand globally, aiming to boost both supply and brand growth. Irish Language Screen Boom: TG4 and partners are backing a new wave of Irish-language film and TV, with projects like Crá and Cine4 titles building momentum after Oscars success for An Cailín Ciúin and Kneecap. Dairy Spotlight: Swiss judge Marcel Egli has been named for the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow Competition at the Virginia Show, underlining Ireland’s dairy breeding focus.

Fuel Policy: Fuels for Ireland warns it would be “absolutely reckless” to reimpose excise duty cuts, the NORA levy and still push ahead with carbon tax increases—arguing fuel demand won’t fall like normal consumer goods. Wildfire & Farming Payments: INHFA urges farmers in wildfire-hit areas to submit proof quickly to protect CAP direct payments on burned commonage and hill lands. Energy & Infrastructure: ESB’s CEO pay rise and Ireland’s energy infrastructure gaps stay in focus as policymakers debate how to fund and deliver upgrades. Construction & Property: Work starts on a £95m Clayton Hotel development in Edinburgh, a sign of continued investment momentum in hospitality. Manufacturing Heritage: Lucozade and Ribena mark 80 years at the Coleford factory as Suntory backs multi-million-pound supply-chain and processing upgrades. Digital Capability: A new study argues government digital plans must include citizens’ skills and trust, not just internal systems. Local Business Recognition: Ganly’s Athlone is named a finalist in the Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards. Culture Night (Waterford): Theatre Royal Waterford joins Culture Night with free, late-night programming for families and young creatives.

Agri-Food & Exports: Irish beef export volumes dipped in Jan–May 2026 to 184,329t, the lowest in five years, but value per kilo hit a record €7.13/kg as total export value eased only slightly to €1.314bn. Dairy Competition: Tirlán’s plan to supply Costco with Irish butter under Kirkland branding has sparked fresh concern among Irish dairy groups about brand pressure on Kerrygold. Livestock Health & Farm Practice: Teagasc warns farmers not to spread fertiliser when grass growth is below 35kg DM/ha, while Dunbia urges lamb injection sites be moved to the neck to protect export eligibility; a new TB regionalisation plan in NI targets a 40% reactor reduction. Shipping & Logistics: Brittany Ferries’ decision to stop live animal transport from September has left exporters “blindsided,” with Irish livestock shippers warning of capacity and journey-time constraints. Sustainability at Shows: The Sustainable Livestock Village returns to Tullamore Show on 9 August with practical demos and talks on climate, water and nature, backed by major agri bodies. Business & Industry: Finning reports Q2 2026 results with revenue up 20% and product support growth continuing; STERIS posts fiscal 2027 Q1 revenue up 7% with unchanged yearly expectations. Consumer & Policy: DIGI data shows Irish average alcohol consumption per adult fell 2.1% last year to 9.30 LPA, continuing a long-term decline.

Energy Affordability: A CRU study finds 14% of Irish domestic electricity customers are in arrears (8% in long-term arrears over 90 days), while gas arrears are even higher at 27% (20% long-term), with winter protections in place but some disconnections still recorded. Public Sector Pay Talks: Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers calls a public-sector industrial action ballot a “missed opportunity”, after Fórsa opened a ballot for 90,000 workers following failed successor-deal talks. Engineering & Services: Denis O’Brien’s Actavo reports pre-tax profits up 80% to €23.12m as revenues fall 17.5%, with staff costs down and a €10m dividend paid. AI Governance: Ministers have approved the first Board of Oifig IS na hÉireann (AI Office of Ireland) to oversee Ireland’s coordination for EU AI Act implementation. Renewables & Planning: Annaholty Green Energy has returned with a new RED III biogas application near Birdhill, with a decision due by August 19. EV Market: Ireland is now “EV-first” for new car buyers, with EVs at 26% of new registrations in July, though the wider fleet share remains low. Dairy Industry: The Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition spotlights elite Irish dairy breeding and stockmanship. Construction & Water: Kilkee residents plan a public meeting after a High Court ruling cleared Uisce Éireann’s wastewater plant to proceed near the Cliff Walk. Business & Tech: Origina’s documentary questions why organisations accept vendor-driven technology change as inevitable.

Irish Aviation & Defence Policy: Ireland’s new €53m Dassault Falcon 6X government jet was ordered without Israeli-made fog landing tech, meaning it may have to divert in poor weather—an operational safety trade tied to Ireland’s ban on Israeli components. Tourism & Connectivity: Shannon Airport posted a 14% passenger jump in June, its strongest growth in years, helped by new routes to Madrid, Rome, Warsaw and Poznań plus added frequencies. Food & Farming: Agri Aware’s open farm returns on 29-30 August at the Harlin dairy farm in Co Meath, with visitors able to see farm innovation and taste products like milk, cheese and ice-cream. Consumer Protection: The CCPC issued an urgent recall of a Temu mini doll set sold by a third-party seller due to choking risk from detachable parts (47 units in the Republic). Transport & Logistics: Command Alkon says Francisco Partners will buy a majority stake, aiming to modernise concrete deliveries via its cloud and AI-powered capabilities. EU/Industry Watch: Shamrock Rovers opened their Europa League tie with a 3-1 win over KF Egnatia at Tallaght, setting up next week’s second leg.

EV Market Momentum: SIMI says battery electric vehicles took the lead in Ireland in July, with 9,682 BEVs registered (up 98% year-on-year) and EVs at 26.12% market share for the year to date. Energy & Transport Transition: The same SIMI data shows hybrids and plug-in hybrids still strong, while diesels keep slipping—fuelled by Government scrappage and BEV grant supports. Jobs & Industry Pressure: Union GMB accuses Diageo of “steam-rolling” through restructuring, with 150 jobs at risk in Ireland and 172 in Scotland’s distilleries. Retail & Consumer Goods: WellPaws becomes the first pet supplement brand to secure a category-first listing in Tesco Ireland, rolling out across 150 stores, with Dunnes Stores also adding listings. Film & Creative Ireland: GAZE 2026 ends with Irish wins, including Queen Lizzy (Best Irish Short) and Irish documentary Lesbian Lines taking home a top prize. Local Community Sports: Westmeath Examiner Community and Sports Awards launch, backed by major sponsors and coordinated with Westmeath County Council. Aviation & Procurement Scrutiny: A new €53m government jet may face fog-landing limits because it was bought without an Israeli-made landing system. Digital & Finance: BlackRock expands tokenised money market funds into Europe via its Institutional Cash Series platform. Crime & Enforcement: Gardaí seize an estimated €8.5m of cocaine and cannabis in Meath and Louth, arresting two men. Health Access Watch: CSO figures show Carlow households travel farthest to emergency departments, despite being closer to GPs and pharmacies than the national average. Arts Loss: Ireland’s music community mourns Glen Hansard, with thousands attending a public wake in Dublin.

Audio Advertising: A landmark global study using the Effie and System1 databank finds campaigns with audio deliver 75% higher profit and lift trust by 81%, with benefits rising as media spend scales. Touring Disruption: Eurovision double-winner Loreen has postponed her European tour, including UK and Ireland dates at Dublin’s National Stadium, moving shows to Spring 2027 and keeping tickets valid. Irish Agriculture & Livestock: The Young Stock Podcast spotlights Meath native Alan Crowe, breed secretary for the Irish Hereford Breed Society, as it prepares for the Tullamore show and hosts the 17th European Hereford Conference in Kilkenny. EU Trade Scrutiny: The European Commission alleges Temu obstructed a competition inspection at its Dublin offices, saying it failed to comply with basic information requests. Aviation Leadership: Willie Walsh, formerly an IATA chief and an Irish pilot, takes over as IndiGo CEO as the airline enters its next growth phase. Defence Powers: Russia warns Ireland of “serious consequences” if Defence Forces board shadow fleet vessels under a proposed Defence (Amendment) Bill expanding operational powers.

Agri-Food Enforcement: Ireland’s Agri-Food Regulator opened 25 investigations into suspected unfair trading practices in 2025, up from earlier baseline activity, after 51 complaints and six site inspections, with more powers expected to sharpen scrutiny of pricing and contract behaviour. Food & Farming: Young sheep farmer Abigail Marley has been selected for Irish Country Meats’ Flocks of the Future 2026, getting a mini-flock, expert support from Bord Bia/Teagasc/Sheep Ireland, and a 20c/kg bonus on lambs for three years. Poultry Deal: Scandi Standard has agreed to buy Irish frozen poultry producer Glenhaven Foods for €127m, adding about 190 jobs and capacity, with completion targeted for Q3 2026. Housing Delivery: Kildare County Council has appointed Cunningham Contracts Ireland to design and build 28 social homes in Naas, due for completion in 2027. Construction & Local Projects: Kildare’s social housing push lands alongside West Cork debate over using Compulsory Purchase Orders for the Skibbereen-to-Baltimore greenway. Energy/Environment: EU moves to accelerate AI infrastructure via AI Gigafactories, while Ireland’s coastline and sea-front pressures remain in focus for jobs, tourism and enforcement. Business & Retail: Volvo Ireland invests at least €40m to redevelop 10 dealerships, aiming for a more premium customer experience.

Journalism & Skills: The Journalists’ Charity has launched the Queen Camilla Future of Journalism Awards, backing 25 young journalists (18-30) each year with prizes of up to £2,500 plus mentoring, with applications open through August. Wellness & Tourism: Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 finalists for UK and Ireland spas have been announced as public voting opens, with winners decided by an independent panel and an awards ceremony set for 16 November. Irish Sports Media: TG4 delivered marathon coverage of the LGFA All-Ireland finals from Croke Park to mark its 25th anniversary, spotlighting the senior final between Galway and Kerry. Local Environment: Inland Fisheries Ireland is investigating a “significant” fish kill on Dublin’s Tolka River near Damastown, with early indications of 500+ dead fish and water samples taken. Irish Business & Trade: Revenue says the MV Matthew—at the centre of Ireland’s biggest cocaine seizure—has left Port of Cork after nearly three years detained, with an international buyer taking it on tow to Bulgaria. Rural & Agriculture Community: Macra has launched its 60th National Autumn Rally in Adare, Co Limerick, bringing young people together for competitions, farm visits and rural-focused events.

EU AI Push: The EU’s AI Act rules for AI models become enforceable this August, with new duties around transparency, copyright training disclosures and risk controls for the most powerful “frontier” systems. Irish Construction & Data Centres: Irish builders are riding Europe’s data-centre boom, with firms like John Paul Construction shifting into data-centre work as skills and customer demand spread across the UK and Germany. Local Democracy in Mayo: A fast-tracked plan aims to strengthen municipal districts and give more devolved powers, but critics say it may rebalance oversight without truly shifting decision-making away from Dublin. Agriculture & Farm Tech: Young farmers toured beef systems and Kepak Kilbeggan, while Irish dairy producers are being urged to monitor water intake more closely to protect herd performance. Community & Industry Events: A major Lecarrow Benevolent Fund auction in Roscommon is set to raise funds for local medical and lifesaving equipment. AI & Nursing Education: NurseVeda, an Ireland-based platform, has integrated AI into exam prep and specialty pathways for nursing candidates across 50+ countries. Consumer Watch: The CCPC has taken enforcement action against traders over consumer law breaches.

US-Ireland Diplomacy & Security: The Irish Mail on Sunday reports Donald Trump’s September 12 visit will include the Amgen Irish Open at Doonbeg and a possible stop at the new US Embassy site in Dublin, with Government sources warning of Garda and logistics strain—especially with Daniel Kinahan’s expected extradition from Dubai in the same period. Aviation & Consumer Costs: Ryanair has confirmed a policy tweak after a CMA investigation, letting parents sit next to children under 12 for free after check-in, ending the need to pay around €8 for “mandatory family seats.” Agribusiness & Water Use Debate: Dr Paul Davis questions the usefulness of publishing data-centre water and energy figures if it doesn’t translate into real decisions—arguing Ireland has built reporting without a clear “credit” outcome. Farming & Policy: Galway IFA members met TDs and Senators at Mansion House ahead of Budget 2027, pushing for farm-scheme retention, extended tax reliefs, and cost-of-production supports, with ANC scheme protection a key ask. Construction & Housing: Pousterle Ltd has secured first-time planning permission for a 146-home Kildare Town development, including a creche and large parking/bike provision. Sports & Irish Talent: St Mirren boss Craig McLeish praises Ireland international Killian Phillips after a 2-0 win over Falkirk, with Phillips scoring twice.

Back-to-school finance: Ireland’s social welfare and household support calendar is shifting in August and September, with bank holiday payment changes and the return of Fuel Allowance later in the year. Retail & consumer savings: American Freight is pushing “Back to Savings” with same-day take-home furniture and mattress deals aimed at students and families. Circular economy pressure point: Re-turn says €60.1m in drinks deposits went unclaimed in 2025, even as return volumes rose to about 1.4bn items, with calls for clearer detail on where unredeemed cash ends up. Agribusiness biosecurity: Animal Health Ireland urges farmers to tighten biosecurity ahead of autumn stock purchases, including isolating new animals and checking BVD and vaccination histories. Water quality on farms: A Tipperary demo farm open day highlighted practical steps to cut nitrate and phosphorus runoff in the Suir catchment, from buffers to yard design. Industry leadership: Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter reports modest gains in board and executive representation across signatory firms. Energy & infrastructure: Reganosa is selected to verify FEED for Ireland’s planned FSRU gas reserve project. Transport & logistics: Amazon Air’s first branded Boeing 767 freighter, Odyssey, enters service as the carrier expands its owned cargo fleet.

Energy Security & LNG: Gas Networks Ireland has appointed Reganosa to independently verify the FEED for Ireland’s planned Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve, an FSRU-based LNG project in Co. Clare aimed at strengthening supply during emergencies. Renewables Planning Clash: Waterford City and County Council has reiterated opposition to the Dyrick Hill Wind Farm, after a High Court quashed an earlier refusal and the case is now back before An Bord Pleanála. Agribusiness & Risk Management: The IFA says rebuilding the national sheep flock—especially in hill and mountain areas—is the most effective way to manage uplands and help offset devastating fires, calling for urgent supports for hill lamb production. Rural Infrastructure: Ministers have turned the sod on the new Newbridge Library, Kildare County Archives and Local Studies centre, with €3m funding to expand space and modernise services in a protected landmark building. Finance & Growth: Artane Partners acted for We Outside on an AED 11.7m equity raise from a Dubai family office to fund international expansion, including a Dubai event this winter. Sports & Media Rights: The FIA has signed a long-term commercial rights deal for the WRC and ERC following acquisition of the promoter, promising major investment and growth for rallying. Accessibility in Tourism: A Galway pilot scheme is rolling out wheelchair-friendly beach mats at Ballyloughane and Silverstrand, managed via Galway City Partnership and the Tús programme.