Irish Times Inside Business

This week the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 heard from representatives of Ryanair, Aer Lingus, the DAA and Shannon Group on how Irish aviation has been affected by the pandemic. Irish Times journalist, Barry O’Halloran has the latest. Also, Ann Chapman from Stonechat Jewellers speaks to Ciaran Hancock about expanding her premises in Dublin city centre in March, only to close down the shutters the very same week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week EU leaders agreed a 750 billion euro recovery fund to help member states deal with the economic damage caused by the pandemic. So who were the winners and losers of this deal and what's in it for Ireland? Naomi O'Leary and Cliff Taylor join Ciarán Hancock to discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"No-one expected as unequivocal a ruling as this": Ireland has prevailed in its case against the EU Commission, who claimed that billions in corporation tax were owed by Apple to the Irish exchequer due to its operations here. Europe's second highest court decided that none of the money was taxable here. But why was the case taken in the first place, and what will the EU's next move be in its attempts to shut down tax avoidance? Joe Brennan and Cliff Taylor explain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a report published yesterday the EU downgraded its forecast for the European economy as the impact of Covid-19 beds in. Meanwhile, the government is preparing its July stimulus package. Where should it find and direct its funds? To talk about the economic outlook, Ciaran is joined by Chris Johns and Eoin Burke Kennedy of The Irish Times. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Reports this week that AIB will not give mortgages to those in receipt of government-subsidised wages showed the potential impact of Covid-19 on the property market. So how is this closely-watched sector being affected, months into the crisis? John McCartney, director of research at Savills, and Irish Times reporter Jack Horgan-Jones talk to Ciaran Hancock. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As we approach the next phase on the roadmap out of lockdown, many businesses across Ireland are preparing to reopen after three months of closure. In this episode, Ciaran Hancock speaks to Teeling Whiskey co-founder Jack Teeling about the challenges that lie ahead for the Dublin based distillery. Also joining the discussion is Adrian Cummins from the Restaurants Association of Ireland, who is calling for a 1.8 billion euro government bailout of the sector.Plus, Brian Keating from Richie’s Bike Store in Swords gives an insight into how their bicycle business has been operating since reopening in May. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today’s episode Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty and Irish Times journalist Cliff Taylor join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the economic elements of the new Programme for Government. With very little in the way of costing laid out in their plans to reignite and renew the economy, how will the government pay for all of these new measures? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today’s episode, Ciaran Hancock is joined by JP McMahon, a chef and restaurant owner from county Galway and by Des O’Dowd a hotelier in Inchydoney, West Cork, to speak about the impact Covid-19 has had on the hospitality trade. They discuss their plans to reopen at the end of the month and share their thoughts on the new guidelines issued this week from Fáilte Ireland. So what does the future hold for McMahon’s three restaurants and how will Inchydoney Lodge and Spa cope with strict social distancing and no-touch spa treatments amongst other new measures? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today's episode, Ciarán Hancock speaks to Francesca McDonagh, Group Chief Executive at Bank of Ireland, about the impact Covid-19 has had on the financial sector. Also on the agenda is the payment breaks obtained by 18,000 Bank of Ireland customers, the likely fall in property prices and when the bank will restore its dividend payment for shareholders. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From lockdown in his home in Monaco, Michael Smurfittalks to business editor Ciarán Hancock about his storiedcareer, his greatest successes and most stinging failures. He also recalls his ownership of The K Club, and criticises Covid-19 reaction he calls a “panic-demic”. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we hear from two seasoned entrepreneurs in two different industries about how they are dealing with the fallout from Covid-19 and the opportunities that will hopefully begin to arise as the economy begins to reopen. How does this compare to past disruptions they have experienced, and what lessons can be applied to this new situation? Rachel Doyle founded Wicklow garden centre Arboretum in 1977 and the family business has since expanded with another store in Carlow. Mary McKenna is one of the country's leading tour operators, of Tour America and Cruise Holidays. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Monday, the motor trade will be allowed to reopen their aftersales departments, but still face restrictions on their car sales operations. Many dealers are growing increasingly frustrated by the impact on sales and the threat of job losses. In today’s episode Ciaran Hancock speaks to Stephen Gleeson, managing director of Hyundai Ireland who is calling for showrooms and garages to open from May 18th. Meanwhile, the online sales of car parts have seen a sharp increase in the last few weeks. Ciaran Crean founder of the website Micksgarage.com discusses the growth in demand since the lockdown was introduced. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Like most industries, the Irish pub sector has been devastated by the Covid-19 crisis. Under the current restrictions set out by the government in their roadmap to opening the economy, pubs must remain closed until August 10th 2020. Publicans argue this will put many out of business and have put forward a proposal to open six weeks earlier than planned. Joining Ciaran to discuss what the future might look like for Irish pubs is Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association and John Gleeson who runs Gleesons of Booterstown. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Fitzgerald is founder and chairman of real estate firm Sherry Fitzgerald. He talks to Ciarán about the housing market's difficulties and resilience in the time of Coronavirus. Despite the worsening economic situation, he insists there is no drop-off in demand from buyers yet and predicts prices will recover in 2021. Mark predicts a drop in new housing builds this year of between eight and ten thousand, and calls for the next government to ensure a resulting shortfall is made up in the years ahead. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An Post is one of the companies on the frontline of the Covid-19 outbreak. CEO David McRedmond talks to Ciaran Hancock about how the organisation is adapting to serve the public during the Covid-19 outbreak, and also about the future of letters, post offices, parcels and the financial services that are an increasingly important part of their offering. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Borrowers financially impacted by Covid-19 could be offered a six-month break on their mortgage payments if talks between the banks’ lobbying body and the Central Bank of Ireland are successful, according to Brian Hayes, chief executive of the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland and today's Inside Business guest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Business representative group Ibec CEO Danny McCoy talsk to Ciaran Hancock about the plight of businesses, the effectiveness of state support and the importance of getting state cash into businesses fast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pat McCann, founder of hotel group Dalata, says this crisis is worse than the many previous recessions and crises of his career all put together - but he says Dalata has the strength to survive, even if, as he believes, restrictions remain in place until late 2020. He talks to business editor Ciaran Hancock. From the Inside Business team, thanks to our listeners for their patience while we have been on hiatus for the past fortnight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today’s episode, Irish Times journalists Joe Brennan and Mark Paul join host Laura Slattery to discuss the evolving economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. In a week that began with Black Monday, the greatest global stock market crash since 2008, what emergency measures are now being taken across the world to ease the economic impact? And how will the Irish tourism sector survive the biggest challenge it has faced in decades?Plus Cork native Emer Downing joins Laura on the line from her home in Bergamo, Italy to speak about daily life under lockdown. Emer is a primary school teacher and is delivering all her lessons online through Google Classroom. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's podcast:Has Covid-19 changed the outlook for the Irish economy? Cliff Taylor talks to Conall Mac Coille, Chief Economist at Davy Stockbrokers. We find out about an all-Ireland company, Randox Laboratories, whose product is at the frontline of global efforts to detect the disease and prevent its spread. Plus: Before the High Court this week a high-profile personal insolvency case demonstrated the benefits of this ne for debtors in trouble. Simon Carswell reports. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.