Breakfast Business

The Barry Group is one of the largest independent wholesalers and retailers in Ireland and now it's getting together with Love Irish Food to promote the sale of locally made produce nationwide. It comes amid rising grocery costs and increased competition from imports so it won't be that easy. All to discuss with Jim Barry the Managing Director of the Barry Group.

If you are lucky enough to have a river flowing through or adjacent to your property and you wish to do your bit with renewable energy, you could consider a company call. they harness the power of streams and small rivers and turn them into electricity without affecting the local fish life. They aren't selling directly to customers yet but they could provide as much energy as an average cluster of solar panels. Joe spoke to Roisin McCormack, COO with GKinetic.

Wednesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

Tuesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

It's an awful anniversary to have to mark but it's 4 years since the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Amazingly the Ukrainian economy has stabilised and continues to function as it had to switch to a war economy producing new cutting-edge drone technology. Joining Joe to discuss this is the Russia expert Jason Corcoran whose new book ‘Leaving Russia' is published in April. Also Communications expert Cormac Smith who has worked for the British and Ukrainian governments and knows the latter very well.

Change is definitely afoot in the investment climate here in Ireland. Up to this governments of all stripes almost discouraged households investing their own money in the capital markets with really high capital gains tax and other charges. But will slashing CGT achieve the desired result and will Irish people break a habit of a lifetime when it comes to investing their risking their savings? Pat Lardner, chief executive of Irish funds which represents many of the companies that would like to use some of that Capital

EBay, Adverts and Vinted are cashing in on the surge in private selling and and now the delivery giant DPD is launching a network of parcel delivery and collection lockers called Pickups all over the island. The company even aims to have 1500 of these locker groups by 2028. They'll be going up against the likes of OohPod or An Post. But is the demand there? All to discuss with Colin Kennedy, Managing Director of DPD Pickup.

Russ Mould from AJ Bell joined Joe to look through all the business news headlines.

The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland includes all those creative agencies which devise many of the campaigns you see or hear on tv, radio or online. The industry spent €1.6bn in 2024 and my next guest says it should be a lot more. But does that mean a lot more ads and will much of that money flow in the coffers of the giant tech platforms? IAPI also includes PR professionals and there has been plenty of consolidation in that sector too. Joining Joe in studio was Siobhán Masterson, CEO of IAPI.

Joe Lynam takes a run through Friday's business news headlines along with Aidan Donnelly from Davys.

There's no doubt that change is afoot in the world of auditing and consulting. Some of the big players are splitting those 2 parts of the business and others and merging. That includes BDO - formerly known here as BDO Simpson Xavier, its Irish business is merging with its UK business. The newly merged entity is part of a network of BDO shops operating in 169 nations worldwide. But will it make the Irish business that little bit less Irish? All to discuss with Brian McEnery, Managing Partner at BDO Ireland.

Joe Lynam takes a run through of today's business news headlines.

The European planemaker Airbus beat its arch rivals Boeing again last year in terms of delivering aircraft to customers. It even has a backlog of almost 9,000 planes but that doesn't mean it'll stay the leader of the pack. That's because Boeing is learning from its mistakes and coming along on the outside is the Chinese manufacturer Comac which is making great aircraft at very competitive prices and might be able to do for aviation what Chinese carmakers such as BYD are doing to the automotive market. Joining Joe to discuss this sector is the aviation and leadership expert Anita Mendiratta.

In 6 months from now, the EU's new E-Evidence regulation comes into force which could have a profound impact on Irish service providers. It requires companies to hand over emails, messages, and other digital data if requested by police and judicial authorities from anywhere in the EU. The new rules exclude banks from handing over private financial data but it could mean that many firms will have to be very careful how they store data in future. It will be especially onerous in Ireland because so many of the servers on which this important data is stored in this country. All to discuss with Jake O'Sullivan, a partner with Deloitte Advisory .

The government is set to spend a record breaking €102 billion on public projects between now and 2030. That includes massive investment in water, electricity but also public transport including the Metrolink. These contracts are highly complex and often legalistic as they may end up in the courts as we have seen with the national Children's Hospital. The Junior Minister responsible for that is: Joining Joe to discuss all was the Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment Frank Feighan.

Ireland has set itself a target that 70% of our total energy needs should come from renewable sources by 2030. With 4 years to go that figure currently stands at around 36%. That means that fossil fuel usage especially Gas will continue to be the backbone of our national electricity requirement for a few years yet. In its latest report Gas Networks Ireland, says gas demand fell 1.5% last year while gas demand for transport actually rose by 10% due to compressed natural Gas and biogas demand rising. All to discuss with Edwina Nyhan the Director of Strategy and Regulation with Gas Networks Ireland.

Wednesday's business news headlines with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam.

The Renewable Heating Obligation or RHO is the government's effort to cut the use of fossil fuels when it comes to heating our homes. By ensuring that some of those fuels are blended with renewable sources such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil. But the group which represents gas, oil and solid fuel suppliers and distributors says the RHO is not ambitious enough. In fact, they say it's cheaper for them to pay the fines than adjust the types of fuel they sell to households. All to discuss further with Philip Hannon, CEO of The Alliance of Zero Carbon Heating.

Tuesday's business news headlines along with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Ireland is one of the least attractive places for people to invest their money. The Capital gains tax rate is among the highest at 33%. There are also very high taxes on investing in ETFs and that's not forgetting the deemed disposal tax which applies even if you haven't sold your investment. But the mood in Europe is changing and Ireland is changing with it. Now there's a strong drive since the informal EU council meeting last week to encourage Europeans to invest their money rather than earn next to nothing on savings accounts. Here to tell us more is Michael Healy the Managing Director with the trading platform IG.

The world's biggest cardboard box maker Smurfit Westrock says that it believes its profit levels could rise by 40% by the end of the decade. In its first full set of results since Smurfit Kappa merged with WestRock in 2024, the Ireland headquartered but US listed group said it made an EBITDA profit of $4.9bn last year and trimmed its staffing by 3% amid softer US demand. So what does this year hold for them? All to discuss with Ken Bowles the Chief Financial Officer with Smurfit Westrock.

There are increasingly calls for the European Savings & Investment union to be completed as soon as possible. In order to move Europeans from a savings culture to a more risk taking culture to promote European startups. There might also be a single regulator for financial services which might threaten the two biggest nations for banking and fund management: Luxembourg and Ireland. So today the body which represents financial services here is launching its strategic vision for the sector and protecting what it holds is one of the key themes. Joining Joe on the show was Patricia Callan the Director of Financial Services Ireland.

Monday's business news review along with Joe Lynam and Russ Mould from AJ Bell.

Joe Lynam is joined on the show by Kate English Deloitte to look at today's business news.

There are 180 companies working in the space sector in Ireland these days and that's expanding due to demand for satellite technology in orbit but also for defence technology and even agricultural monitoring. We don't yet have a dedicated space agency here but the industry hopes to even launch rockets into space within the next decadeBarry Kennedy, CEO at IMR runs Irish Manufacturing Research which is also charged with disbursing money from the European Space agency.

A good bed and mattress is vital for something that accounts for a third of your life, i.e. sleeping. Many beds are made overseas as are most mattresses. But Respa beds has been making beds since 1947 in Oldcastle Co Meath. Respa was even nominated recently for the Best Family Run Business Award in the Guaranteed Irish awards this year. Speaking to Joe all about their business was Pam Stone the Chief Executive of Respa beds.

My next guest has devised an AI chatbot which solves problems for tenants on behalf of landlords. The company is called MARC and is already working with the likes of Sherry Fitzgerald and DNG lettings and hopes to expand into the US by talking to some of the giant property managers over there. He's only 22 and quit university to create the company and his name is Aaron Devitt the founder of MARC.

Thursday's business news review along with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

AI is rapidly demonstrating that it could destroy seemingly established sectors by doing in seconds for a few euros what up to this might have taken months and enormous fees. So what should Chief executives and C-suite experts be doing to prepare themselves and make themselves irreplaceable for another few years at least. On top of that, how do senior executives motivate their staff who will also be worrying about their own futures? All to discuss with Gavin Megaw Senior Company Director who advises Chief Executives in times of stress.

Most people will have booked their Easter holidays by now but some will still be deciding where to go for the summer or Christmas. There's plenty of choice and much of the research these days is done online. But where are we holidaying these days and will the onerous checks to go to America including all your family's details make selling holidays an issue? All to discuss with Bladhana Richardson is with TravCorp Holdings which owns Destination2 . Also opening an affordable luxury' store Destination2 in Ireland for the first time.

It's the 6th largest economy in the EU with its largest port and some of its most important companies including ASML and Unilever. It's also the 5th biggest trading partner for Ireland and now as a brand-new centrist coalition government.But what can we expect in economic terms from the new Rob Jetten minority government in a time of trade anxiety and pressure from the US? All to discuss with Titia Ketelaar Commentator for the Dutch national broadcaster NRC.

Wednesday's business headlines with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Last week the giant AI provider Anthropic issued a plugin to its Claude Large language Model. When tested it was capable of carrying out the functions of many large software companies including the likes of Salesforce, Adobe, Workday and ServiceNow. This led to a major sell-off in their shares and fears of the end of an era for Software as a Service or ‘SaaS' companies. But is that overdone and how will AI and SaaS coexist? All to discuss with Alan Gleeson Sales and Marketing Consultant with 20 years' experience in SaaS.

The Spanish bank: BankInter is launching two new savings products this week and unlike all other fixed term savings plans, you can withdraw some of your savings and not lose all of your interest. It comes as the bank announced that it has 7% of all new mortgages being sold in Ireland under the brand-name Avant money. Joining Joe on the show was Ciarán Byrne, head of Everyday Banking at BankInter.

Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam takes a run through Tuesday's business news headlines.

Last month the government announced significant changes to the rules surrounding data centres. Gone was the moratorium imposed by the previous environment. Minister Eamonn Ryan and in came strict new rules for energy creation and usage. Digital Infrastructure Ireland says that the new rules are not enough and the likes of EirGrid and the ESB need to improve the provision of electricity infrastructure themselves. All to discuss with Michelle Wallace, Interim CEO of Digital Infrastructure Ireland.

The recent action plan on Infrastructure delivery cited the number of judicial reviews as one of the key reasons why big projects don't get completed on time or on budget. Irish courts take much longer than their European peers and one of the reasons for that is the fact that we have far fewer judges. Seán Guerin Senior Counsel and Chair of the Bar of Ireland believes that making Judicial reviews more difficult is a mistake. Seán explained by to Joe this morning.

Monday's business news review with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam and Kathleen Brooks from XTB.

The US government now demands to see your social media history before issuing a tourist visa or ESTA to that country. That includes Irish would-be travellers and sports fans if Ireland qualifies for the World Cup this summer. And Trump is already having an impact. Foreign visitors to the US fell 4.2% last year while international travel worldwide grew 4%. Joe spoke to Gloria Guevara the Chief Executive of the World Travel & Tourism Council who carried out the research and began by asking her what the US authorities would be looking for in our social media history.

Getting in the door with prospective clients is never an easy business. Sometimes it's via friends or existing customers. Other times you have to do it the hard way and simply ring them up or slip into their DMs. Aidan O'Driscoll has a cold calling service to get leads with the key officers within certain companies and business is good. Aidan spoke to Joe all about his business which is call Align which he is the founder.

Friday's business news and markets along with Joe Lynam and Aidan Donnelly from Davys.

If you're already a trained pilot but are between jobs. Well you might not have to go too far to join an airline. One of Europe's largest low cost airlines Wizz Air is on the hunt for captains and first officers. Training takes place outside of Ireland and successful candidates would operate from Luton airport. Joe was joined on the show by Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK to chat about their recruitment drive.