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INFLATION IN THE EUROZONE surged to its highest level in three years this month, in a surprise increase which will damage hopes that the European Central Bank could cut its interest rates.
The annual rate of inflation stood at 3.0 per cent in September, according to data published by Eurostat, up from 2.5 per cent in August.
By comparison, Ireland’s inflation stood at 2.2 per cent in August – but was only 1.0 per cent when measured by the harmonised European average methodology.
An increase in inflation had been anticipated, but the sheer scale of the increase is a surprise – and is a blow to struggling mortgage holders, who had hoped the European Central Bank might cut its rates soon.
An increase in German inflation was the main fuel behind the surprising spike – with Germany’s rate hitting 2.6 per cent last month, on the back of increased oil prices as a result of the Arab Spring.
The ECB has already increased its interest rates earlier this year, and had been expected to do so again this year – until the new wave of disappointing economic growth figures led to suggestions that the rate could be cut to try and boost credit flows.
The ECB’s stated aim is to try and keep inflation at around 2 per cent.
The continued increase of interest rates is almost always passed on by banks to mortgage customers – and takes immediate effect for more recent borrowers on tracker mortgages, whose rates are directly linked to the ECB rate.
Separate figures released today showed that unemployment in the 17-member Eurozone is at 10.0 per cent – another potential sign that the interest rates may not be lowered.
Ireland’s unemployment rate stood at at 14.4 per cent in August.
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They know what doors to knock on and the ones not to.
@Brian Murphy: if frances Fitzgerald gets elected after what she presided over with Maurice McCabe then it just shows we deserve what we get. Do not vote for this woman.
@Brian Murphy: I call bulls**t on her report of what the electorate are saying to her on the doorstep, but then are we surprised at all that she would like about that too? Honesty and integrity are not her strengths
@Skybloo: *lie
A vote for FF Fg liebour is a vote for cronyism and corruption end of.
@Nial D: I would not vote for the woman, mainly through incompetence, but I think we are scapegoating the systemic corruption within the guards, and particularly Callinan and noirin, pushing back her role (which in general will be ignored by South Dublin) which was she was ultimately no more in control of as she was ignorant of. I don’t believe they we will convince her voters not to vote of we concentrate on tenuous links to genuine gardai corruption.
It’s like her memory on the emails it’s very selective
She was a tragedy waiting to happen in the Department of Justice.
A social worker with no legal qualification in charge of the security of the State.
The damage her, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have done to this country is crazy I will have lost all hope about the electorate if she is voted in
@Kevin Finnegan: don’t worry Kevin, she will and you won’t be missed
@Niall: plank
@Kevin Finnegan: the electorate haven’t got time to tell them what they really think when they call to the door. They have got to organise the dinner, get kids organised, go to gym, etc. We’ll remembers FGs/FF housing failures, cervical cancer scandal, the bus connect shambles when their trying to Rob the front gardens from elderly people and tear down trees when their looking to bring in environmental taxes all at the ballot box
@Niall: ah you must like incompetence and corruption in your elected officials
@Niall: so you’re voting for this corrupt lady then? Shame on you.
Get outta that Franny! #BoycottFFitzgerald #BoycottFitzgerald #BoycottFineGael #BoycottFG #MauriceMcCabe #EP2019 #ee2019 #EUElections2019
@Nial D: as opposed to the left where I always pay 52% tax on my wages, pay everything else through the nose so scroungers can benefit.. you’re good for that
@Niall: is that you leo?
@Niall: ……. it’s Fine Gael policy to tax the individual as oppose to corporations ya absolute muppet.
@Niall: Surely by scroungers you must mean the banks facilitated by the coalition of the blueshirts and F.F. Remember the party that brought this country to it’s knees. Taxpayers bailed out the banks, only for them to continue their gangsterism. With the blessing of the FFG coalition the banks will pay NO TAX on their profits for the next 20 years. You certainly would want to think before you refer to the long suffering people of Ireland be as scroungers .
FF/FG/Lab are in serious denial if they think they’ll walk this election. I know voters have short memories, but the serious mis-management of the country jars with everyone.
@Josh Hanners: it jars with everyone but honestly the vast majority of people walking into the polling Booth don’t think critically at all, it’s a check box exercise, they’ll vote for FG and FF cause that’s what they know.. Even if they whinge about the issues caused by political mismanagement from those same two parties… They don’t see the connect
@ObsidianShine:
Or maybe they just don’t like socialism
@Patrick Nolan:
Except for the socialists president they overwhelmingly voted for.
@Milk The Drones:
Would that be the one that FFG supported?
We voted for a socialist in Mary Robinson and FFG +PDs got 75% in the next election I can’t imagine you are hoping that to happen again?? (No chance!)
F.G. and their coalition partners F.F. not as active knocking on doors as they used too. Just leaflet drop, and gone.
@Donal Desmond: Have to agree. Really noticed that.
@Logan Shepherd: Havent had one candidate knock on my door during the campaign
The “lost” phones and laptops would have cleared things up,but the GDA commissioner searched high and low
Ah yeah as if truthfull and forgetfull Francis would telll us !
@Gowon Geter: She would say that alright wouldn’t she!
So FG Minister “don’t believe the electorate will punish FG over housing crisis”!!! Unbelievable!.It’s a NATIONAL EMERGENCY in housing and homelessness affecting real people, families and children!
@Nuala Mc Namara: Careful there Nuala or you might get held up next time you go through the airport
@Nuala Mc Namara: I agree FG will definitely not get my vote. I will be voting for the independent. They are good honest and hardworking.
@Padraic O Sullivan: I’m one of the “electorate” merely correcting her assumption about the “electorate”!
The people, families and children affected by the National emergency in housing and homelessness in our country matter to me and should matter to society in general.
@Nuala Mc Namara: I agree with you . Just noting that your comment contradicts someone special with special friends.
@Padraic O Sullivan: Are you FG or a former member of FG?I’m not sure how to take your two comments warning me to be careful,’special friends,’ etc that is incredibly unfair to the Minister.
She more than any other FG Minister is open to suggestions from Opposition including SF from what I’ve seen since 2016 in Dail&i remember her specifically saying that!
I might disagree with her opinion on the electorate /FG policies but your 2 comments I wouldn’t agree with.I think most people go into politics with good intentions,even if I don’t agree with their opinions or policies.
One can smell the fear from FFG.. They know a vast majority have had enough. Alot of seats lost..
@Willy:
And what will be your excuse if they increase their vote compared to the last GE?
The first thing in politics is dont tell the truth and FG are a dab hand at it.
She is the face of everything that’s wrong about Irish politics. Disgraceful lack of shame.
That’s spin code for… yes it is,,constantly..
Not one vote for these leeches.
No puppygate will detail her access to the gravy train.
Well if people elect her it will take the proverbial biscut
Most parties have been to my area, I’ve yet to see FG though. Lucky for them
If she admitted is was an issue it would be like Turkeys voting for Christmas
Your politicans are a moral and cultural representation of your people..if this woman gets elected considering her performance as minister for justice especially regarding the Mccabe carry on..disappearing phones and lack of memory etc..then what does it say about those that vote for her, unfortunately the Irish electorate has serious form in this regard
They should get a pounding in the election because of their policy on housing. And it really annoys me when these idiot politicians in their press conferences speak like they’re trying to tell us what we should be thinking and doing. Its the height of arrogance and shows massive contempt for the public. These types of people don’t deserve to get elected, full stop.
@Adrian: and yet they will, and will continue for a long time to come.
Because most people don’t care. My partner, for example, consistently votes FF because ‘my da supports FF’.
(Yes it’s an issue!)
they haven’t been near my door actually none of them have
that Regina is deluded
our housing policy is working
is she blind or just stupid
stupid is my guess
@Aishling Carslake: not stupid, just blissfully apathetic.
From their leafy suburbs surrounded by their sycophants, everything is peachy.
“Not particularly” in political terms mean yes every 2nd door I knock on.. social democrats will have my vote for the first time ever in my 30 years of voting
I live in a very voter heavy area in the capital and the FG slime are just putting their fliers through the doors and not waiting for a response. They know they’ll get a hell of a roasting in my locality so are scurrying away like dogs.
Fitzgerald is disgusting.
Think this election might produce big shocks for FG
Frances Fitzgerald The Social Worker in 2014 She set up Tusla Child and Family Agency the same Corrupt Organisation who Destroyed Maurice McCabe &Family .The use the Same Tricks are used on Daily basis by Tusla Social Workers in Secret Corrupt Family Law Courts of Injustice Ireland to get Custody of Children Weapon of Choice Sexual Abuse Claims to Win Custody Battles in Ireland Innocent Children Destroyed by the Evil Act of Injustice Who got Jail for this heinous act not one why ???…
Move on nothing to see here
It should be. All our outrage about Brexit, the importance of the EU and we offer up failed (deceitful) politicians and half ass spokespeople who have an inability to speak!!
@M Con: The Eu is a Cess Pit and we send MEPs that Cess the Pit even more .
She was hardly going to say yes
The buck stops where, o it is just passed around lol.
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