Week 39 - Monday

More than 1,000 people attended a meeting in Moate over rising fuel and living costs, with organisers warning further fuel protests will take place if the upcoming Budget fails to deliver the action they are seeking.

House price inflation is showing signs of easing nationally, but prices continue to rise across the Midlands, with listed prices up 8.9% in Laois, 4.3% in Westmeath and 2.4% in Offaly compared with last year.

Doubts have emerged over whether the Government will approve a proposed 79-cent increase in the national minimum wage, which would bring the hourly rate to €14.94 from January.