Get the latest business, tech, and current affairs updates. Ireland's renewables generate over half of the nation's electricity, Apple defeats a US consumer lawsuit, and the Iseq All Share experiences marginal decline. Plus, US companies announce layoffs, Microsoft reaffirms its commitment to Ireland, manufacturing sector growth continues, and Northern Ireland sees a record number of companies.
Welcome to the Business Post’s Live News section. We’re here all day to keep you up to date on developments in business, tech and current affairs. Renewables provided over half of Ireland ’s electricity in February according to new figures from grid operator EirGrid. The data shows that wind power alone accounted for almost a half of all electricity used in the country. Overall, renewables accounted for 54.
5 per cent of electricity generation in February, including contributions from grid-scale solar and hydropower. Tech giant Apple has won a ruling dismissing a lawsuit that accused the company of illegally monopolising the market for digital storage - resulting in higher costs for consumers using its iCloud service. US District Judge Eumi Lee in San Jose, California, on Friday said the plaintiffs in the class action had not shown Apple violated federal or state antitrust law. However, she ruled they could amend their complaint and refile it. The Iseq All Share closed at 10,981.77, down marginally on close on Friday, with the index flirting with a record close of over 11,000 for much of trading today. Gains seen across Europe, driven mainly by defence stocks, failed to translate to much progress on the Irish stock exchange. Growth was instead driven by Irish Ferries operator Irish Continental, which rose by 3.2 per cent to €5.08 following the release of its annual results on Monday morning. Several U.S. companies have announced layoffs across various sectors in an effort to streamline operations amid ongoing economic uncertainties. These job cuts follow a wave of similar reductions implemented last year. Starbucks, Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair are among the companies who have announced layoffs so far in 2025. Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen is set to meet Tánaiste Simon Harris on Monday to discuss European security and defence. The meeting comes as Harris prepares to bring draft legislation to cabinet that would change Ireland’s triple lock system. The proposed amendments would remove the requirement for UN Security Council to approve the deployment of more than 12 Irish soldiers as well as the government and the Dáil. Brad Smith, the company’s vice chair and president, has told politicians today that Microsoft is “steadfast” in its commitment to Ireland. Speaking at an IDA Ireland event where the US tech giant was awarded the IDA Ireland Special Recognition Award for its contribution to the Irish economy over its 40-year presence in the country, Smith noted that “we will continue to live in uncertain times.” “In every country, there is often change. In Microsoft's 50 year history, a birthday we will celebrate next month, we will look back and remember that for 26 of those 50 years there was a Republican in the White House, and for 24 of those years, there was a Democrat in the White House,” he said. The Irish manufacturing sector is rising at its fastest pace in a year - despite concerns over US President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda. The AIB Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for February rose to 51.9, up from 51.3 in the previous month. The index summarises responses from 250 purchasing managers, with scores above 50 indicating growth, and those below 50 signalling contraction in the sector. The number of companies in Northern Ireland hit a record high last year, hitting over 95,000, according to new figures. New data, from Companies House registrations and the Office for National Statistics, show that 95,065 companies were based in Northern Ireland last year - up nearly 12 per cent in 12 months. The figures, compiled by Inform Direct, show that Northern Ireland has a sharp east-west divide when it comes to the registration of new businesses, with Belfast dominating.
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