THIS WEEK, THERE has been a lot of back and forth over variable rate mortgages.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said that banks were treating people “shabbily” over the issue after it was reported that the government had warned banks to reduce their variable rates or face levy hikes.

This week also saw plans revealed for the new Garda station set to be built on the Kevin Street site.

The Big Movers

Variable rate mortgages 

Criticism of high interest rates on variable mortgages was in the news this week. 

Variable mortgages in Ireland have an average rate of 3.26%, higher than the eurozone’s 2.3%.

On Wednesday outgoing AIB Chief Executive David Duffy appeared before the Oireachtas finance committee, saying that the bank would cut rates so long as “positive market trends” continued.

Outgoing AIB CEO David Duffy Oireachtas.tv Oireachtas.tv

RTÉ’s Montrose for sale?

This week it was announced by the Minister for Communications Alex White that a working group was currently looking into the best use of the RTÉ site in Donnybrook.

While the Minister did not commit to selling off part of the State broadcaster’s premises, he did not rule it out either, saying that they “need to be vigilant with their costs”.

He then went on to say that as part of cost-cutting measures the government was looking into pursuing Sky and UPC customers who have not paid their TV licences.

Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Garda HQ

The Gardaí are all set to get a fancy new building – and plans for it were revealed this week.

The new station will be built at the site of the historic Kevin Street station and is expected to be finished by early 2017. The building will have five storeys and two basement levels when completed.

The site has been a garda station in one form or another since 1806.

Department of Justice Department of Justice

Under Construction

• An Allsop auction at the RDS in Dublin on Tuesday saw a single lot of 46 houses in Dingle, Co Kerry sell for €2.9 million. 
• Video has been released of what members of the public will see when travelling up in the new World Trade Centre elevator. 

• Brian O’Donnell arrived at the offices of the receiver appointed to Gorse Hill on Tuesday to find out how much money he and his wife owe. 
• There was more controversy over Irish Water this week with questions raised about the sale of Siteserv. 

Des Res

Business Insider has taken a look at 70 of the coolest new buildings in the world as decided by architecture fans and experts. The selections were drawn from awards given by architecture website Architizer.

Here is a sample of just a few of those featured: