There's no avoiding what news story will be driving the week. The US administration will announce a series of tariffs on European goods on Wednesday (2nd April) with Ireland's pharma, food and drink exports expecting a hit. The Irish Examiner editorial focuses on the anticipated effect on pharmaceuticals "where there is a genuine threat to future investment and pressure upon companies to declare more profits in the United States which will affect the Republic’s tax base. At its worst, said our finance minister Paschal Donohoe, new tariffs could cost Ireland up to 80,000 jobs."

That same editorial also highlights the scale of the decline in tourism over the past year, which shows a significant decline in tourism from the US and UK. Overall, the 30% decline in both numbers and revenue is significant. It remains to be seen if changes to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport would do anything to reverse the trend, as it's reported that the Government is to consider interventions to lift the passenger cap, including potentially passing laws allowing the limit to be increased. 

Meanwhile, the Indo reports that parents could see a new pay-related benefit early next year, following the roll-out of a scheme for jobseekers today. The Irish Times reports that, from today, people who lose their jobs will have social welfare payments linked to their previous earnings for almost a year as part of a significant overhaul of the jobseeker’s allowance system. 

Finally, the overseas development sector in Ireland is facing “an existential crisis”, as a result of international funding cuts.

Zen 

While the White House is, currently, the last place any of us would want to visit, the new Netflix series The Residence takes place in a fictional White House with a dead body on the second floor and 157 possible suspects. Enter detective Cordelia Cupp (the brilliant Uzo Aduba), a gifted detective and keen birdwatcher. What follows is eight hours of escapist fun.

Have a lovely week. 

Niall Shanahan