Category: Irish Business

CCPC calls on Government to open up Irish taxi market

New research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) highlights a supply shortage in the taxi sector as four in 10 people who tried to get a taxi in December reported difficulties doing so.

With a significant share of taxi users wanting the choice of ride-hailing (49%), the CCPC is calling for the removal of regulatory barriers to facilitate entry of these services. Ride-hailing platforms, such as Uber or Bolt, connect private drivers to passengers via apps. This would mean allowing these private drivers to provide services using their own cars, subject to appropriate regulatory safeguards.

According to the research, 57% of those who expressed an opinion believe that there are not enough taxis available in their area. However, there are stark differences across geographical locations.

While 56% of those living in Dublin believed there are enough taxis in their area, only 28% of those outside of Dublin agree. This drops to 21% for those living in Connacht or Ulster.

Participants were asked whether they would like the choice of accessing ride-hailing services, subject to regulatory requirements.

While 49% of taxi users surveyed would like the option of ride-hailing services, this figure rose to 57% for those who believe there are not enough taxis in their area.

When asked whether they would prefer a fixed fare or a metered fare, 60% said they would support a fixed fare option.

The research also found that 53% of respondents surveyed tried to get a taxi in December 2025. Two in five who tried to get a taxi in December experienced problems, with 27% saying they had to stop looking as no taxis were available.

The research comes ahead of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) regulatory assessment of the licensing of dispatch operators, which is due to begin later this year.

Brian McHugh, CCPC chair said: 

“Regulatory barriers in the taxi market have failed to facilitate innovations that have flourished in other countries and consumers are suffering as a result. Our research shows a clear preference for more choice among consumers who are not getting the service they need.

“This is not about abandoning oversight or regulation.  Any new entrants could and should be regulated to maintain high service and safety standards. Consumers and businesses deserve an innovative, functioning taxi sector that provides choice. Consumers shouldn’t be faced with long waits or the possibility of staying home due to a lack of taxi availability.

“The CCPC is calling on the Government to remove key regulatory barriers in the taxi market so that it can be more responsive to consumer needs and align better with how transport systems are evolving all over the world. The goal is to achieve a balance that protects consumers and ensures access, while also allowing competition and innovation to improve the market. We look forward to engaging with the NTA in their consultation process and to exploring all solutions that might increase capacity and choice.

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Galway’s Severe Weather Tech Goes National

Galway County Council and Galway Fire and Rescue Service have been recognised for leadership in emergency technology after their Severe Weather Event Management System (SWEMS) proved instrumental during Storm Eowyn and was recently showcased by Government as part of its storm review.

The local authority received the Best Local Government Authority Project Award at the 2025 Business Post Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards, held at the Mansion House in Dublin.

Developed in-house by Galway County Council and built on the ESRI ArcGIS platform, SWEMS provides emergency teams with a live, interactive map of severe weather events, enabling faster and more informed decision-making. The system also connects to public-facing platforms, including social media and a text alert service, giving residents real-time updates as conditions change.

“Up to now there has been a lag getting information, and we found we were behind the curve straight away,” said Paul Duffy, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer. “This system means all our information is there in front of us. From an organisational point of view, hours could be saved during severe weather and wildfire events.”

He continued, “The award recognises exceptional innovation in digital public service delivery, particularly in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather events. With national rollout now underway, the SWEMS team is proud that our technology is set to redefine how Ireland prepares for and responds to climate-driven emergencies.”

Michelle Hennelly, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, confirmed that the system was recently demonstrated to the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment (DCEE) as part of its storm review. She also highlighted a multi-county exercise led by Galway at the National Emergency Coordination Centre (NECC), involving eight local authorities and coordinated by the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) under the Department of Defence.

“The exercise showed that SWEMS could be scaled across counties and departments with minimal cost,” Ms Hennelly added.

Project Lead Mackenzie Boland, from the council’s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) team, said SWEMS now underpins severe weather response for both Galway County and City Councils, supporting assessment teams and frontline crews alike.

Hennelly extended thanks to Michael Martin, Head of Information Systems at Galway County Council, and Barry Doyle, former GIS Lead, for their support throughout the project.

Ecofil Installs Iconic V Bottle Filling Station at Derrynane House

Ecofil Limited, Ireland’s leading provider of sustainable bottle filling stations, has completed the installation of its flagship Iconic V unit at Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell. The timing of this milestone coincides with preparations by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to commemorate the 250th anniversary of O’Connell’s birth.

The new Ecofil station provides a modern amenity for visitors to refill and reuse water bottles, encouraging environmentally conscious behaviour at a site deeply rooted in Irish history. Designed and manufactured in Ireland, the Iconic V units integrate seamlessly into heritage settings while championing sustainability.

This installation is part of a broader collaboration between the OPW and Ecofil, aimed at deploying Iconic V stations across a nationwide network of parks, public buildings, and historic landmarks.

Jimmy Guerin, Director of Ecofil, said, “We are extremely proud of having our Iconic V machine installed at such a meaningful and historic location. Derrynane House holds a special place in Irish history, and contributing to its sustainability journey aligns perfectly with Ecofil’s mission. Encouraging visitors to reuse and refill is a small act with a big impact—and doing that at a national hero’s home makes it even more significant.”

This initiative reflects Ecofil’s ongoing commitment to environmental leadership and its continued partnership with public sector organisations to reduce single-use plastics. The Iconic V water station has been installed in numerous public locations throughout Ireland including sports clubs and arenas, schools, universities and cultural locations. Ecofil is headquartered in Fingal, Dublin.

Digital Infrastructure Groups Merge to Strengthen Industry Representation

Today two key digital infrastructure organisations are merging to drive the growth and success of the digital infrastructure ecosystem in and from Ireland. Host in Ireland and Digital Infrastructure Ireland will join together under the Digital Infrastructure Ireland name, reflecting both the criticality of the industry and the need for urgent action by the Irish Government to advance the sector in Ireland.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Digitalisation and National Development Mr Jack Chambers TD will give the keynote address at the Digital Infrastructure Ireland Launch event next week which comes after five years of a de facto moratorium on the data centre industry and investment by-passing Ireland due to policy ambiguity and uncertainty.

The founder of Host in Ireland, Garry Connolly, said the industry needs one powerful voice to champion the digital infrastructure industry. “Ireland and the Irish digital infrastructure ecosystem have long been trusted global partners for designing, building, and supplying digital infrastructure. The industry needs a collective voice to represent the diverse sectors and communities that drive this critical industry. While the ecosystem has soared in recent years, the industry here at home faces serious challenges, including energy constraints, sustainability, and regulatory uncertainty.”

“It’s time to try something new. The CRU consultation should initiate a collaborative effort, bringing together government, agencies, and industry leaders to plot a course for Ireland and this trillion dollar global industry. Ireland’s energy challenges demand immediate action from top public and private experts to address grid constraints, solutions, and investments—not just in the medium and long-term, but immediately, as there are too many opportunities in limbo. Now more than ever, we must move beyond incremental steps and take giant leaps to embrace bold, forward-thinking policies. We need to build on Ireland’s 60+ year history with data by embracing a future that demands us to be creative, brave, and relentless.”

To guide its strategic direction and ensure a partner-driven vision remains at the forefront, Digital Infrastructure Ireland is establishing a Strategic Advisory Board. This board will be composed of industry leaders and professional experts who will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the organisation. The initial Advisory Board will be co-chaired by the long-established data centre industry veteran, Maurice Mortell, and Michelle Wallace, COO for Host in Ireland.

“The challenges we face as an industry in Ireland are getting serious and require a proactive and robust approach to advocacy and awareness. A lack of policy clarity is putting future investment at risk,” said Maurice Mortell, co-chair of the advisory board at Digital Infrastructure Ireland. “The Government must take an active role in enabling the next wave of cloud and AI-driven growth, or Ireland will be left behind as other markets seize these opportunities. Digital Infrastructure Ireland is committed to addressing these issues through collaboration, advocacy and proactive engagement with policymakers to ensure the industry can continue to thrive.”

About Digital Infrastructure Ireland

Digital Infrastructure Ireland is a global initiative dedicated to driving the growth and success of the digital infrastructure ecosystem both in and from Ireland.

As a partner-driven organisation, our community brings together companies with world-class expertise at every stage of the digital infrastructure lifecycle. From design and construction to operation and maintenance, our partners embody a spirit of “co-opetition” and collaboration that strengthens Ireland’s standing as a global leader in digital infrastructure.

Digital Infrastructure Ireland serves as a collective voice for the digital infrastructure ecosystem to ensure it remains a trusted partner for designing, building, and supplying digital infrastructure across Europe and beyond.

JUSTTIP Flex offers next generation mobile tipping solution for table service establishments

In a move that is set to further transform the hospitality industry, Irish founded company JUSTTIP has expanded its offering with the introduction of JUSTTIP Flex, a new mobile tipping solution developed for restaurants, pubs, and hotels offering table service.

The latest hospitality solution from Dublin headquartered JUSTTIP, co-founded by young entrepreneurs James Fahy (23) and Ciara Walsh (22), saves business owners the 11.8% PRSI liability on every tip managed through the system, reduces administrative burdens, and brings them in line with tipping legislation to avoid on-the-spot fines of up to €1,500.

With the new Flex option, as well as existing Fixed terminals and QR code solutions offered by JUSTTIP, customers can easily and securely tip hospitality staff, safe in the knowledge that everything goes directly to staff. For customers, JUSTTIP Flex allows them to choose their tip amount in a separate transaction from paying the bill, thus increasing servers tips while separating them from the business’ income.

Designed to streamline the tipping process for both businesses and employees, Ciara Walsh, Co-founder of JUSTTIP explained “We launched JUSTTIP to bring transparency to tipping, but found so many businesses didn’t even know the charges they were paying on tips, and requirements with updated legislation. The platform is built to help businesses and employees manage tips, with end to end transaction reports, bringing businesses in line with legislation, and offering complete transparency to their staff. An added bonus is that the customers love it too.”

 

With tipping legislation in Ireland updated in December 2022, companies must now provide clear information to customers on how tips are shared among employees, promoting transparency and trust in the tipping process. Legislation also states that staff should receive a breakdown of electronic tips received and how they are distributed, and guarantees employees the right to receive their tip, protecting them from unfair distribution.  All tips generated through JUSTTIP’s systems are collected and pooled, and distributed weekly directly to the employees’ bank accounts in proportion to the hours they worked, bypassing the employer’s business completely.

With JUSTTIP, employers manage tip distribution thanks to the easy to use employer portal to monitor tip collection and distribution. For employees, tips are paid directly to their bank account every Tuesday, and tax management tools are available to help with calculating liability.

JUSTTIP Co-founder James Fahy added “As the hospitality industry continues to embrace digital transformation, JUSTTIP remains committed to driving innovation and setting new standards for excellence. We guarantee regulatory compliance for businesses and equitable tip sharing for employees.”

JUSTTIP was founded in July 2021, and since then has successfully on boarded 400 establishments and over 7,000 staff across Ireland and the UK.

For further information visit https://justtip.net/.

SUAS Aerospace seeks €5 million to develop Irish spaceport

Irish Aerospace Company, SUAS Aerospace, has announced a fund-raising round of €5 million for the development of a spaceport to facilitate orbital and suborbital rocket launches for carrying small satellites to polar orbits.

The company aims to have world-class upstream space infrastructure fully operational by 2027, facilitating up to forty-eight launches annually and driving initial projected revenues in excess of €70 million.  Long term plans include a major aeronautical facility that will encompass launchpads, integration facility, control center and visitor center.

Ireland was identified as one of the top three suitable locations in Europe for a Spaceport in a technical feasibility study commissioned by SUAS and undertaken by British-based high-altitude expert B2Space.  The study looked at safety, launcher range and flights paths and concluded that orbital rocket launches for small satellites can be achieved from various locations in Ireland.

The SUAS Aerospace project aims to capitalise on Ireland’s location and climate advantage for small satellite launching and will also respond to the deficit in European launch capabilities for European companies developing commercial launch vehicles.

Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO, SUAS Aerospace, said: “This is a significant opportunity for Ireland to establish itself as a leader in the European space sector. The current round of seed funding will help SUAS Aerospace substantially progress its vision to to create a thriving space hub in Ireland.    It will help develop initial infrastructure, conduct test launches, establish strategic partnerships and ultimately pave the way for the first orbital launch from Irish soil. Our hope is that it will inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in an indigenous Irish operation.”

SUAS Aerospace was founded in 2019 and is supported by the Enterprise Ireland.  With initial investment of  €1.1 million to date, SUAS has secured significant partnerships with major European Companies including Skyrora, T Minus Engineering, Pangea Aerospace and is part of a successful consortium awarded a €5m grant from Horizon Europe to develop interoperable (plug and play) rocket engine testing infrastructure for Europe.

SUAS Aerospace is currently headquartered at National Space Centre in Cork.

Google announces 21 winners of the second annual You’re the Business competition

Google, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) are today announcing that they have selected 21 SME’s from across Ireland to secure a truly unique, money- can’t-buy prize as part of the You’re The Business campaign. Now in its second year, You’re the Business is a training and mentoring programme that aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation.

In addition to the training, You’re the Business features a competition element to recognise and reward

SMEs that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their growth journey – from

those who have launched a website, through to those who are just starting to export. Entrants were asked to submit a video no longer than 2 minutes in duration, detailing what their business means to them and an example of how they have used digital to drive / grow / enhance their business.

Winners will receive a digital support package from Google which includes €1,000 Google ads credit, as

well as one on one consultations with experts that will help them to further develop and grow their

business. The selected businesses are invited to attend a celebratory event at Google’s The Foundry

later this year.

An additional prize of a video creation kit was awarded to Jasmine Feehan, founder Dóchas Design Studio, for demonstrating great efforts in promoting their business online. Speaking about the competition, Jasmine said:

“I entered the You’re the Business Competition with hopes of expanding my digital expertise, growing my business online and advertising outside of social media. Developing the Dóchas Design Studio website and social media channels has allowed me to give a real sense of personality and brand identity to the business online. Without having a brick and mortar store, becoming familiar with website development and social media marketing has been essential to the success of Dóchas Design Studio and growing an online community.”

Speaking about their win, Sofie Rooney, co-owner and founder of winning SME Chimac, the Dublin-based Korean fusion chicken and sauce company, said:

“We’re so delighted to be a winner of this year’s Google You’re The Business competition. Whether it’s promoting our restaurant to potential customers, or reaching new markets with our Korean inspired sauces, Chimac has always used digital media as a targeted tool that enables us to speak directly with existing and potential customers  As we move into 2024, Google’s support package of advertising funds and expert mentorship will play a key role in our strategic planning and marketing strategy.”

Cera Ward, Managing Director of Google Ireland said:

“In Ireland, over 90% of all enterprises stand within the SME bracket. SMEs like Chimac and those we are celebrating today are an integral part of the economy generating employment and providing services across the country. Business owners know that in order to reach Irish consumers, 90% of whom are active online, they need to ensure their online presence is at its best.  You’re the Business helps SMEs to do just that, through training that is available on our dedicated site. We’;ve been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices in the delivery of the You’re the Business programme and I want to congratulate Chimac, Dóchas Design Studio and all the winners announced today, I look forward to seeing how they use this prize to support continued growth.”

Richard Murphy, head of LEO Support and Coordination Unit at Enterprise Ireland said:

“The role of digital in the evolution and growth of any SME has never been so keenly felt than over the past number of years. Companies have had to become more agile and digitally adept to survive and thrive. Opening up and sharing Google’s expertise in digital with SMEs across Ireland is a huge step forward in helping these companies to maximise their online presence and growth potential. Many congratulations to the winners announced today. We wish them continued success and look forward to supporting them as they grow both here in Ireland and hopefully internationally in the years to come.”

The foundation of You’re the Business is a digital upskill program. It is a Google initiative developed in

partnership with EI and the LEOs that delivers on-demand training online, e-learning courses, and tools

and other resources to SMEs in Ireland to help them upskill digitally.

For further information on the winners and the You’re The Business initiative, please visit: g.co/yourethebusiness

Winning SMEs:

Tesco Ireland redistributes 20 million meals to 350 charitable groups in 10 years

Over the past decade, almost 20 million meals, or 7,900 tonnes of food, have been redistributed to people living in food insecurity across Ireland, thanks to Tesco Ireland’s Surplus Food Donations Programme. On average, Tesco Ireland redistributes and donates up to 40,000 meals every week to over 350 charities across the country.

New research commissioned by FoodCloud, a social enterprise with a mission to transform surplus food into opportunities, shows that families with children are the single largest group of people accessing donations from Tesco Ireland’s Food Surplus Redistribution programme.

According to the study, conducted in July of this year, families with children make up almost half (47%) of all those accessing food donations, while three quarters (75%) of community groups, who distribute surplus food, report that they have experienced an increased demand for food in the last six months.

In ten years of partnership, diverting this surplus food from going to waste to those in Irish communities who need it, Tesco has significantly reduced emissions associated with the processing of this waste.

Working with FoodCloud and Olio, as well as over 350 local charitable and voluntary groups nationwide, Tesco redistributes surplus food at the end of each day to those who need it most in our communities. This food is perfectly edible but because it is nearing its use by date, it will be removed from the shelves in store. Typical donations comprise fruit and vegetables, bakery goods, meat and more.

In 2013, Tesco Ireland became the first retailer to partner nationally with FoodCloud, and this year the two organisations are celebrating 10 years of working together. The programme, which began in one Tesco Express store on Talbot Street in Dublin city, is now in operation across Ireland, and has since expanded into the UK, Czechia, and Slovakia.

Marking this important milestone, Tesco Ireland Communications Director, Rosemary Garth said: “We are very proud of what has been achieved since we launched our national Surplus Food Donations Programme 10 years ago. As a grocery retailer we have no time for waste and are absolutely committed to ensuring that no good food goes to waste when there are people in our communities who need it.

Since we launched this programme, which is powered by our partners FoodCloud and Olio, we have provided almost 20 million meals to the most vulnerable in our communities. This has enabled the charitable and voluntary sector in Ireland to reduce their food bills by over €23 million, which, according to FoodCloud, has empowered them to invest in providing an even greater level of support services in towns and cities nationwide”.

Co-founder of FoodCloud, Aoibheann O’Brien said: “Tesco’s commitment to eliminating edible food waste from their stores has positioned us as a global leader in tackling food waste. Through our strong partnership with Tesco, we have continued to grow our impact, innovate, and push boundaries around what is possible around food redistribution. We have worked together to reduce food waste for 10 years, expanding across four countries.”

Official Launch of the Midlands ICT Cluster Action Plan

Today, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary, marked the official launch of the Midlands ICT Cluster Action Plan at the Building Better Business event held at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.

In launching the Action Plan, Minister Calleary said “I am delighted today to be publishing the Action Plan for the Midlands ICT Cluster. A key objective of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan is capitalising on the strengths of the region through Smart Specialisation and Digitalisation, with the development of industry clusters widely recognised as a key driver of growth and resilience for regions in terms of employment generation. It is fitting to be launching this Action Plan today at our Building Better Business event here in Portlaoise as the Midlands ICT Cluster will play a strong role in supporting businesses across the region with the opportunities and challenges presented by digital transformation.

The Action Plan has been developed by the Midlands ICT Cluster, who worked with SecondEdge Solutions Ltd to develop a plan which features a suite of actions under four enabling themes:

 

  1. R&D and Ecosystem Development,
  2. Skills and Talent
  3. Marketing
  4. Cluster Development

The Midlands has for many years proven to be an attractive destination for ICT businesses, with multinationals such as Ericsson who have been present in Athlone for over 40 years. More recently, fast-growing tech companies such as Sidero, Zinkworks, N’Ware, Nostra and Skout have been joined by many innovative start-ups to create a region which now has the highest concentration of ICT professionals outside of Dublin.

Ms. Sinéad Pillion, Head of Operations, Ericsson and Industry Chair of the Midlands ICT Cluster Steering Committee, said “The Midlands region is already home to over 400 thriving ICT businesses, employing thousands of people, and we aim to bring enterprise together with government agencies and academia for a triple-helix approach to supporting our ICT ecosystem. Our goal is to make the Midlands internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in Smart Connected Technologies, while highlighting the region as the ideal place to live, work and invest.”

Dr. Anne Cusack, Chair of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee, commented that “the ICT sector has been designated as a key growth sector in our regional enterprise plan, and the development of the ICT Cluster leverages the collective regional competencies in this area, serving to position the Midlands as a destination of choice for sectoral investors.”

Paul Madden, CEO, Zinkworks stated that “Zinkworks is proud to be a founding member of the Midlands ICT Cluster and see many great benefits from enhanced collaboration with Industry and University partners to jointly build on the vibrant ICT ecosystem in our region.”

Dr. Enda Fallon, Head of Department – Computer & Software Engineering, TUS noted that “The Midlands has the fundamental capabilities and values required to become a European region of technology excellence. As a Technological University in the heart of the region, TUS is delighted to partner with the Midlands ICT Cluster in order to realise this vast potential.”

Paying tribute to the her colleagues on the Steering Group, Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise, LEO Offaly, representing regional LEOs, “the development of this cluster marks a commitment between industry, Technological University of the Shannon – Midlands Midwest, enterprise agencies (EI, IDA) and the LEOs to work together, to learn from each other, and to grow the smart technologies base of the Midland Region, delivering on the ambition of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan”.

Sarah Morgan, Programme Manager, Midlands Regional Enterprise Development Office, expressed her “appreciation to all members of the Steering Committee and Working Groups, and to the ICT companies from across the region that contributed to the establishment of the cluster and action plan.”