Irish Times Inside Business

As 2018 draws to a close, Ciarán talks to some of the Irish Times business team about the stories they’ve covered this year. Joe Brennan and Cliff Taylor take a look back at the banks, Brexit and Ireland’s continued economic recovery, just five years after exiting the EU-IMF bailout. Plus: Laura Slattery recalls a torrid year for Facebook and Mark Paul goes through the highlights of the ongoing drama at INM. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What could derail Ireland's economic recovery next year? Ciarán talks to Megan Greene, Global Chief Economist of Manulife/John Hancock Asset Management in New York, Equity Analyst at Investec, Owen Callan and Cliff Taylor, about the international variables that could influence Ireland's growth prospects in 2019: Brexit, the US-China trade war and global stock markets.But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the other stories in the news this week, including RTÉ salaries, Primark and Google's most searched for terms in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why are Republic of Ireland football managers paid so well? That’s just one of the questions Ciarán puts to FAI finance director Eamon Breen on this week’s podcast. He talks about where the association is investing its money in the sport, the debt it is currently carrying and he reveals how much money the businessman Denis O’Brien contributed to the FAI's finances over the years. Plus: Cliff Taylor explains why the corporate tax take was up last month and why a surprise budget surplus looks to be on the cards. He also has the latest on what’s been happening on the Brexit front.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories making headlines this week, including the sad tale of the collapse of the Orla Kiely brand, Ryanair’s new ultra-low cost Eastern European subsidiary and the boomtastic menu at chef Dylan McGrath’s new D4 venture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sports agents have never been as big a part of the sporting landscape in Ireland as in some other countries, but that is slowly changing. Today Ciaran Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe talk to two people working in the field in Ireland about their businesses and their unique perspective on the business of sport. Niall Woods is CEO of Rugby Agents Ireland and Sinead Galvin is founder of Galvin Sports ManagementBut first, Michael O'Keeffe has a roundup of all the month's biggest sports business stories including the free-to-air Rugby World Cup and Nike's move into the weird world of e-sports. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2018 Irish Times Innovation Awards took place last night and the overall winner is Aid:Tech. The company's platform enables entitlements like aid, welfare, remittances, donations and healthcare to be digitised and delivered through blockchain technology in a completely transparent manner. Ciarán caught up with Niall Dennehy, co-founder and COO, right after his big win last night. Plus, Fiona Reddan on the new benchmark for rents in the capital: €3,300 for a two-bed apartment in the Kennedy Wilson's Capital Dock building on Dublin's south quays. And the bigger picture: are build-to-rent providers driving up rents across the city?But first Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the lates business news including a terrible week for tech stocks amid broader market jitters, the rise and fall of auto guru Carlos Ghosn, and a warning over the need for foreign workers to drive housing supply - where will they live? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mediacon Summit co-founder Steve McCormack talks to Laura Slattery about the TV business and why the Irish television industry needs to look overseas for co-production opportunities.Later, Cliff Taylor explains the latest Brexit developments and what the possible outcomes could be.But first, Michael McAleer previews the upcoming Irish Times Innovation Awards and some of the novel business ideas set to be recognised during the ceremony. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week: Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will be happy with the outcome of Tuesday’s Ecofin meeting, which saw his German counterpart suggest a two year delay on the introduction of a digital sales tax and the French propose a compromise, or to borrow a Brexit term, a backstop measure. Europe editor Patrick Smyth and Olivia Buckley of the Irish Tax Institute join Ciaran to discuss how the tax will work and why Ireland is so opposed to it.Plus: The 100% Club launched on the fringes of the European Climate Innovation Summit in Dublin this week, aimed at challenging firms to reveal annually the full extent of their greenhouse gas emissions. Kevin O’Sullivan has the details.But first: Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including Ryanair’s sacking of six members of staff over a viral photograph, good news for Ikea in Ireland and Sharon Donnery beaten by an Italian economist for a top ECB banking job. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This year's winners of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Ireland awards, Daniel Mackey and Peter Coppinger, are the founders and leaders of Teamwork.com, a Cork-based Saas (software as a service) company. They talk to Ciarán about their ambition to build a €450 million-revenue company, going where the talent is (which isn't Dublin), not needing funding despite spending their savings on their url, and their advice for wannabe entrepreneurs. Later we hear from Denis Staunton in London and Cliff Taylor explain the key elements of the UK budget which included a Digital Services Tax for tech giants, and how Brexit might force Philip Hammond to rip it all up and start over. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's guest: Former stockbroker Mick Dawson took over as Leinster Rugby CEO in 2001. Since then Mick has overseen the transformation of Leinster Rugby into one of the genuine powerhouses of the European game, claiming four Heineken Cups and numerous other successes along the way.In that time, support for both the province and the game in general has grown considerably with Leinster very much now a firm part of the Dublin and Irish sporting fabric.Plus: positive news for sport in Ireland in the 2019 budget, the IRFU's strategic plan, new stadiums rising and a new initiative to boost female participation in sport. The Irish Times Inside Business Podcast is a weekly programme dedicated to Irish business and economics, featuring award winning journalists, analysts and industry experts presented by Business Editor Ciarán Hancock, in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week’s show AIB chief executive Bernard Byrne is in the hot seat to answer questions on a wide variety of topics including housing and rip-off mortgage rates, Brexit, bankers’ salaries and bonuses, when Irish taxpayers will be fully repaid for the bailout and whether he gets any hate mail. Ciarán also asks why, a decade after the financial crisis, trust in the banks is still being eroded by scandals like the tracker mortgage controversy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paschal Donohoe’s Budget 2019 has a little something for everyone, but the goodies are spread widely across tax and welfare. The decision to restore VAT to 13.5 per cent for hotels, restaurants and hairdressers will be a hot topic, though perhaps not quite as hot as the lack of action on the carbon tax, in a week when climate change experts delivered their starkest ever predictions on global warming. The ‘squeezed middle’ will gain €250 a year, €1.25bn has been allocated for social housing, there’s a rainy day fund and a chunk of change has been set aside for Brexit proofing.Joining Ciarán Hancock to go through the main points of Budget 2019: Fiach Kelly, Cliff Taylor, Fiona Reddan and Liam Diamond, Tax Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.Produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

September tax returns give Paschal Donohoe little scope for surprise giveaways in Budget 2019, unless he raises taxes elsewhere. Will that see hoteliers lose their coveted 9 per cent VAT rate? Is it possible to Brexit-proof the economy? Ahead of the announcement next Tuesday, Chief economist at KBC Bank Austin Hughes and Irish Times business journalist Eoin Burke-Kennedy go through the numbers.Also: There was further turbulence at Ryanair this week after it issued a profit warning and lowered its earnings guidance. Barry O’Halloran has the story.Plus: Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the other stories making the headlines this week, including property developer Sean Dunne’s continued tale of woe after a High Court judge called him a “deeply dishonest” witness when extending his bankruptcy to just shy of the 15-year maximum. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is ten years since the decision was taken to guarantee six Irish banks, a decision that has been debated ever since. Public Affairs Editor Simon Carswell, then Finance Correspondent, takes us back to the day for a fresh look at what took place.Produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna talks to Ciarán Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe about another financially successful year for the GAA, how the organisation raises funds (including the controversial Sky deal) and what the future holds for Croke Park. But first Michael has his regular roundup of the major stories in the business of sport, including Nike's big gamble on Colin Kaepernick paying off, the strength of Ladies Gaelic Football and takeover moves in English rugby. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Under an information-sharing agreement with the Revenue Commissioners, Airbnb is to hand over data on thousands of hosts in Ireland who let out property via the website in 2017. It comes as regulations for greater enforcement in the short-term lettings market are set to be announced next week. But will the new regulations help ease the rental market crisis? Fiona Reddan explains.In an unprecedented move for an Iseq-listed company, Ryanair has banned news media from attending its AGM. But is it naïve for the airline to believe that the meeting won’t be reported on? Irish Times Business Editor Ciarán Hancock shares his thoughts on the decision.Plus: Aryzta, Jean Clude Junker & more with Peter Hamilton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With Brexit on the way, should we aim to spend less next year and run a surplus? Central Bank governor Philip Lane has issued a warning suggesting as much to Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe. Eoin Burke Kennedy and Cliff Taylor have analysis. How bad is this week's court ruling for INM and former chairman Leslie Buckley? Mark Paul explains.Plus: Brexit, Ryanair & more with Pater Hamilton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Everyone remembers the wanton destruction of Lidl in Fortunestown, Tallaght last March as the snows of Storm Emma enveloped the country. Now the store has been rebuilt, bigger, better and hopefully sturdier than ever. Ciaran Hancock gets a tour of the store and talks to Alan Barry, Lidl Ireland's Director of Property, about the German discount retailer's plan for growth and some other difficult issues facing the company in Ireland. Inside Business is produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New CSO figures reveal an uptick in new housing construction. Good news for those seeking a home? Sadly its not that simple. Eoin Burke Kennedy and Cliff Taylor discuss.Plus, we talk to economist Phyllis Papadavid of the Overseas Development Institute in Athens about the state of the Greek economy today as the state exits its third and final bailout programme. But first Eoin Burke Kennedy has some of the week's most interesting business news, including figures revealing our national penchant for wine.Produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Turkey has been hit by a currency crisis in the past week that, coupled with a tense stand-off with Donald Trump, threatens to wreak havoc on the country. Are we in a new era of ‘strongman economics’? And what is the potential for contagion across the EU? Chief economist at Manulife and John Hancock Asset Management, Megan Greene, joins Cliff Taylor and Ciaran Hancock to discuss.Also on the podcast: Aryzta has announced that it intends to raise €800 million from investors. Joe Brennan has the background.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories making headlines this week, including Paddy Cosgrave’s U-turn on Marine Le Pen’s Web Summit invitation, FBD’s Fiona Muldoon cleared of wrongdoing and a €4 million face-lift for Café en Seine. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The relationship between former Independent News and Media chairman Leslie Buckley and his erstwhile employers has turned very sour indeed, as revealed by an exchange of letters between solicitors acting for Buckley and INM. Mark Paul talks us through the story on today's podcast. He also looks at the news that Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is considering axing the 9% VAT rate for hotels and guesthouses. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of this week's other stories including more eccentric behaviour from Elon Musk, what Donald Trump's warning means for any Irish companies doing business in Iran and Ryanair's worsening strike headache. And later we host a quick debate between Conor Pope and Michael McAleer on the subject of a proposed "distance driven" tax on motorists to replace the traditional motor tax. Is it fair/right/effective? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.