View this email in your browser THE IRISH TIMES Business Today Friday, 08 May, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader Amid the Middle East turmoil, more and more countries are turning back to coal for their energy needs. Ireland should be one of them, according to a new report from the Irish Academy of Engineering. The State should convert Moneypoint power station to burn coal and drop the ban on offshore fossil fuel exploration, it says. Barry O’Halloran reports on what no doubt will be a controversial recommendation. Where do you get your food from? If you eat Irish fruit and vegetables there is a good chance it comes from a relatively small group of farmers, and that is set to only get smaller in the years ahead. In Agenda, Paul Colgan spoke to a number of the big players, and looks at the issues facing the industry overall. Up to 94 per cent of the companies that could qualify for refunds through Ireland’s research and development (R&D) tax credit may not be taking advantage of the scheme, according to a British advisory firm newly established in Ireland. Ian Curran has the story. Continue Reading Peter Flanagan   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business Many companies not claiming R&D tax credit, says UK firm Business Ireland should reconvert Moneypoint to coal, say engineers Business From strawberries to carrots to potatoes: who are Ireland’s biggest fruit and veg growers? Business ‘We’ve lost a few crops in recent years, like iceberg lettuce. There is just one grower left’ Business Lennon named to lead group promoting better boardroom gender balance Eoin Burke-Kennedy History signals more hawkish central bank response to Iran war price shock MORE BUSINESS STORIES Work Use of artificial intelligence among senior civil servants ‘increasingly common’ Work Meta contractor Covalen accused of rushing lay-offs to avoid redundancy payments Business Green energy firm CEO awarded €75,000 after being ‘unlawfully’ denied salary Business European shares fall as investors mull Middle East peace prospects Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE