Mortgage momentum: Remortgaging and switching surged in July, lifting new mortgage approvals 14.4% year-on-year to 6,253, with remortgage activity up 71.6%—the strongest monthly levels since 2011. Business costs push: A Government Cost of Business Advisory Forum report flags energy as a key driver of higher enterprise costs and calls for cheaper options for energy-intensive firms, plus easier switching for non-domestic customers. Housing & planning in Dublin: Residents in a north-inner city courtyard complex are pushing back on newly tightened rules for children’s play space, while Dublin City Council has also backed a new all-weather sports pitch at a school in the Liberties for community use. Energy + data centres: Ireland’s data-centre power demand keeps heating up the nuclear debate, as policy makers face rising electricity needs. Cybersecurity hit: Boston Scientific’s Cork operations were disrupted after a cyberattack, cutting access to systems used to process and ship orders. CAO pressure: Minister James Lawless says 48% of CAO applicants got their first-choice offer, with 76% receiving an offer among their top three. EU budget fight: Germany and frugal northern allies signal compromise on the EU budget talks but reject further common borrowing. Tourism snapshot: Over 670,000 tourists visited Ireland in July, up 5% year-on-year.