View this email in your browser Business Today Friday, 09 October, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader AIB chief executive Colin Hunt is on track to receive stock this year worth 100 per cent of his €1.35 million salary. This comes as markets expect the Irish bank to increase its net interest income forecast again in an upcoming trading update. Joe Brennan reports. First Step Homes, a company that leased homes to local authorities for social housing, distributed €15 million to investors before it was sold for €70 million in April. Killian Woods has the details. Niamh Smyth is effectively Ireland’s AI minister and had lots to say about the challenges and opportunities of the technology when she met recently with Emmet Malone. In our Interview of the Week, she outlines the potential impact AI could have on the labour market here. Continue Reading Ciarán Hancock   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business US-backed social housing landlord returned €15m to investors ahead of sale Business Who’s hiring and who’s firing in Ireland’s technology sector? Business Emergency electricity plants to cost customers €1.4bn Financial Services AIB chief Colin Hunt eyes shares worth 100% of salary as bank expected to raise targets Business Solar panel mounting firm’s former CEO set up rival business, court hears Eoin Burke-Kennedy Norway knows when its tax windfall will end. Ireland doesn’t – yet we spend it anyway MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business Kingspan faces €40m fine for misleading EU regulators over abandoned deal for Slovenian rival Business Global shares fall as oil tops $105 amid fresh tanker attacks by Iran Work Galway bar manager dismissed just 11 days after miscarriage awarded €25,000 Business Top Goldman Sachs executives to get $500m in one of largest such payouts in Wall Street history 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