IA Healthcare & Life Sciences 50 InvitationThe Irish America Healthcare and Life Sciences 50 recognizes the work of Irish-American and Irish-born medical professionals who are contributing everyday to the health and wellness of our communities, from pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology to research and development and medical care.

On September 25th, Irish America will celebrate the honorees in New York city with Inaugural Keynote Speaker Dr. Garret FitzGerald, Director of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Irish America Healthcare and Life Sciences 50 is co-presented by long-time Ambassador Club Member, ICON plc. one of the leading clinical research companies in the world, headquartered in Dublin.

Click HERE to download more information.

Ireland is likely the fastest-growing economy in Europe, according to new economic forecasts published today by Davy Research.

In its newest set of forecast for the economy, Davy said it predicts growth of 3.5 per cent in 2014, 3 per cent in 2015 and about 2.8 per cent in 2016.

Growth was “artificially depressed” last year by poor export performance among multinationals, but a clear recovery should become more apparent during the rest of 2014, the Davy report said.

To read more, please click HERE.

BOI_LOGOBank of Ireland has reported a pre-tax profit of €399 million for the first half of 2014, compared with a loss of over €500 million during the same period last year.

The figure includes an €87 million one-off gain due to changes in its defined benefit pension scheme, the bank said.

The bank said its return to profitability was driven by a reduction in the level of write downs on bad debts.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan welcomed the bank’s return to profitability.

“The recovery in the Irish economy is taking hold and further proof of this is evident in the Bank of Ireland half year results. The results show that the Bank is lending into the real economy, reaching sustainable solutions with SME and mortgage customers in arrears, and making a profit,” he said.

Depositphotos_7503662_mTrips to Ireland by overseas visitors are up 10.3% for the first half of 2014, according to CSO figures.

The figures show a steady gain compared to the same period in 2013, with over 3,469,100 overseas visitors recorded by the Central Statistics Office between January and June (inclusive).

The latest figures on Overseas Travel show:

– Visits from Mainland Europe grew by 6pc, to over 1,218,100 visits

– North America registered an increase of 10.6pc (over 574,500 visits)

– Visits from Great Britain were up by 13.6pc (1,473,200 visits)

– Visits from the rest of the world were up 13.6pc over 203,300 visits

Growth from Britain will be seen as particularly good news. The UK is Ireland’s single most important inbound tourism market, and figures had fallen off drastically in recent years.

To read more, please click HERE.

While pinpointing potentially 40,000 foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs between now and 2020, the Irish Government has stated the 12.5pc corporation tax rate will remain a central part of its investment strategy.

Publishing Ireland’s FDI policy this morning, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said the next phase of FDI will hinge upon talent, technology, new sectors and great places to live.

To read more, please click HERE.