Sterling's bruising week will squeeze margins for Irish exporters and is a reminder that Brexit remains a potent threat to the economy here. Ulster Bank chief economist Simon Barry said there's little chance of reversing the sterling slump. The chance of a hardline Conservative Party leader being elevated as Prime Minister to Downing Street has heightened due to a number of factors. One is a strong showing for the hardline Brexit Party in polls ahead of European elections next week. The other is the end of talks between Theresa May's Conservative Party and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour that had been aimed at agreeing a joint Brexit stance have, combined with Mrs May's plan to stand down next month.

Source: Irish Independent May 18, 2019 01:30 UTC