Irish Times Inside Business

Ciarán Hancock and regular co-host Michael O'Keeffe of Teneo PSG sat down last week with John Delaney, CEO of the Football Association of Ireland, to talk about his role and how the beautiful game is run in Ireland. Topics include the finances of the organisation, finding a sustainable model for the League of Ireland, his management style and salary and his future plans. But first Michael has the latest business of sport news. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After the release of a sobering report form the Central Bank on the way banks treat consumers, David Hall, well-known for his advocacy on behalf of banking customers in arrears, joins our own Cliff Taylor and Joe Brennan to talk frankly about banking 'culture'. Plus: Columnist Chris Johns on the looming spectre of no-deal Brexit. And Laura Slattery has a roundup of the week's biggest business stories including Ryanair, Google and Elon Musk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Like most League of Ireland clubs, Shamrock Rovers has experienced financial difficulties over the years. Two years ago Australia-based businessman Ray Wilson invested €1.5 million in the club and mapped out a strategy. But how has it worked out? Ray was in town last week for The Hoops European tie against Swedish league leaders AIK, and he sat down with Ciarán Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe to talk about the challenge of building up the club and the League of Ireland in general, and plans for a Shamrock Rovers academy near the club's stadium in Tallaght.But first it's a business of sport roundup with Michael O'Keeffe, including the sportswear boom, strong results for the IRFU and Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week: 100 Ryanair pilots will go on strike this Thursday (July 12th) for the first time in the airline’s history. But just how effective will the action prove? Only 30 of its 290 scheduled flights out of Dublin that day have been cancelled as a result of the strike, so has Ryanair won the PR battle this time? Barry O’Halloran has the latest.Later in the podcast, Owen Callan, financial analyst with Investec, joins Ciarán Hancock and Cliff Taylor to discuss comments by NTMA chief executive Conor O’Kelly this week, urging the State to sell bank shares as ‘dark clouds’ gather on horizon.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including further woe for Irish Ferries and INM back at the High Court in their case with Office for the director of corporate enforcement. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week: Ryanair pilots have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a one-day strike on Thursday of next week. Thousands of holidaymakers face disruption after 99 per cent backed industrial action in a union ballot. Barry O’Halloran explains how it has come to this.And, as the unemployment rate falls to its lowest level since October 2007, hitting 5.1 per cent in June, economist Jim Power joins Ciaran Hancock, Cliff Taylor and Eoin Burke-Kennedy for a discussion on the current state of the Irish economy and what needs to be prioritised in October’s budget. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories including an internal investigation at FBD concerning chief executive Fiona Muldoon and an increase in used car imports. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Bill compelling employers to publish data on their gender pay gaps received Cabinet approval this week. Speaking on today's podcast, Marguerite Bolger SC, an expert in employment law, says it's welcome news but other measures are needed to increase the number of women in better paid roles. She joins Ciarán Hancock and Irish Times journalist Laura Slattery to discuss the pros and cons of the Bill and what impact it might have. Later in the show: As the deadline for this year's Irish Times Innovation Awards approaches, Ciarán talks to John Browne, CEO of last year's winner Kastus. The company produces anti-microbial technology, which has been making waves internationally since taking the top award for 2017. This year's deadline is Friday July 6th.But first, as always, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week's other stories, including IMF MD Christine Lagarde's visit to Dublin this week and why motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson has fallen foul of Donald Trump. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-

Rip it up and start again - That's what is needed to tackle the housing crisis, according to Orla Hegarty, a lecturer and an assistant professor of Architecture at UCD. On today's episode, she tells Ciaran that tinkering with existing policy isn't working for anybody and a whole new approach is what is needed. She is joined by president of the Construction Industry Federation and managing director of John Flanagan Developments, Dominic Doheny, and Irish Times business journalist Eoin Burke-Kennedy to discuss the problems blighting the construction sector.In the second half of the show, Ciaran talks to former head of AIB and current chief executive of Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, David Duffy, about his group's take-over of Virgin Money in a £1.7 billion (€1.94 billion) deal.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the week's news, including the Summer Economic Statement and Apple chief Tim Cook's visit to Ireland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is Ireland a tax haven?It’s a case of semantics it seems, but what really matters is that many countries see Ireland as the bad guy when it comes to tax.On this week’s podcast, Mark Paul, Cliff Taylor and Barry O’Halloran join Ciarán to discuss a study from the Universities of Copenhagen and Berkeley in California, which labels Ireland “the world’s biggest tax haven” and states that profits moved through the Republic topped the Caribbean.Also on the show: Has Nama done a good job? And, as it becomes clear that there is a majority in favour of a soft Brexit in Westminster, what does it mean for Theresa May?But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories hitting the headlines this week, including a Revenue crackdown on AirBnB hosts, Dublin makes world’s most expensive list and Wetherspoons to cut champagne after Brexit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

First Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the week's major business news including the conviction of former Anglo Irish Bank CEO David Drumm, more data problems for Facebook, Italian markets and the collapse of building company Sammon. Then our markets correspondent Joe Brennan explains how the proposed acquisition of Smurfit Kappa by IP fell apart and what comes next. Finally we're joined by Seamus Coffey, chairman of the Fiscal Advisory Council, and business journalist Eoin Burke Kennedy to talk about the latest FAC report which paints a positive picture of the Irish economy. But the underlying weak budgetary position has not changed, says Mr Coffey. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week it’s our regular Business of Sport section and for that, we’re joined again by Mick O’Keeffe of Teneo PSG.In just over a fortnight’s time, the 2018 Fifa World Cup kicks off in Russia, with the tournament likely to generate billions for both the association and the local economy.Patrick Nally is considered the founding father of modern sports marketing and the man responsible for the commercial resurrection of the Fifa World Cup, brokering a sponsorship deal for the tournament with Coca Cola that lasted for four decades.He talks to Ciarán Hancock and Mick O’Keefe about Fifa’s toxic image in recent years, how that has led to a loss of trust in the brand and why this might be the first World Cup since 1978 that he won’t be attending.Also in this episode, Marc Bennetts, a Moscow-based journalist who has written for The Times, The Guardian and Politico, on what preparations have been like on the ground in Russia.But first, Ciarán and Mick discuss the major sport business themes of the month, including a

Economist Megan Greene talks to Cliff Taylor about market turbulence in Italy sparked by political upheaval. They also look at trade tensions between the US and China. Later, Joe Gill of Goodbody Stockbrokers and Eoin Burke-Kennedy on the response of investors to results at two Irish companies: Greencore and Ryanair. But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The IMF's urged the Government not to cut taxes in the upcoming budget, to protect against future fiscal shocks. DCU professor of economics Edgar Morgenroth, Cliff Taylor and Eoin Burke-Kennedy discuss why Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe would do well to heed the warning, contained in the fund's latest assessment of State’s economic performance.They also discuss whether Ireland is headed for another property bubble, if it is time for price parity between petrol and diesel, and why the government must get the planning for MetroLink right, if it is get any bang for its buck. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including Glanbia chief executive Siobhán Talbot being named The Irish Times Business Person of the Year for 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The timber industry contributes about €2.3 billion to the Irish economy each year and supports 12,000 jobs in rural Ireland. But with some 78 per cent of the output exported overseas, the implications of Brexit are obvious. To discuss this industry and the threat it faces, Ciarán is joined by Coillte CEO Fergal Leamy, John Murray, owner of Murray Timber, and Lucinda Creighton, MD of Vulcan Consulting. But first Eoin Burke Kennedy is here to talk about his selection of the day's major business news, including soaring property prices, Google and Facebook backing away from political advertising and a proposed levy on diesel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A row has erupted over a controversial decision by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council to place land around Leopardstown racecourse on its Vacant Sites Register. Olivia Kelly and Barry O'Halloran have the details on the story. Later, Davy's chief economist Conall Mac Coille on the stockbroker's latest upbeat economic forecasts. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories this week, including the EU’s Multi Annual Financial Framework and mixed news on Ireland’s cost of living. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's podcast, Mark Paul talks to Ciarán Hancock about Irish-owned Smyths Toys €79 million European expansion. Conor Pope reports on two consumer scandals involving Irish Ferries and Ulster Bank. But first, Eoin Burke-Kennedy has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including the latest developments in the tracker mortgage scandal and an agreement for Apple to begin paying its Irish tax bill. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Paul and Simon Carswell talk to Ciarán Hancock about the latest developments in the INM saga. Also, Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the details of the government’s latest Stability Programme Update. But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the other stories this week, including the appearance of senior Facebook executive Joel Kaplan at an Oireachtas Committee. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our cricket players have had some notable success in the last few years, but would still be more likely to get recognised on the street in Delhi than here in Dublin. Might that be about to change? This week host Ciarán Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe of Teneo PSG are joined by Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom to talk about Ireland's elevation to Test Nation status and what that means for the future of the game in Ireland.But first Michael has all the latest news from the sports business world, including Conor McGregor's endangered sponsorships, the staggering growth of fees paid to player agents, and commercial deals for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's podcast: Colm Keena on the alleged data breach at INM Data expert Daragh O'Brien on what employers can and can't do with your emailsEconomist Megan Greene on the return of tariffs. What is President Trump's next move?Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the latest Exchequer returnsAnd Peter Hamilton has the rest of this week's business news, including accelerating house building and some much-needed good news for tech. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement escalated its investigation into Independent News & Media this past week, confirming its intention to seek the appointment of a High Court inspector to the company. Irish Times legal affairs correspondent Colm Keena has the background. Also, Joe Brennan on jobs cuts at Bank of Ireland and Chris Johns on renewed stock market turbulence. But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the week’s stories including Central Bank figures showing around 350,000 people in Ireland used moneylenders last year and a survey by communications regulator Comreg, suggesting Netflix is used by at least 500,000 Irish households. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Former Siptu president Jack O’Connor talks to Ciarán Hancock about his plans to contest the next general election for the Labour party, why Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is more fortunate than competent, Labour's past mistakes, the future of work, and more.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the week’s news stories, including falling Facebook shares in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the threat to corporate tax here due to an EU digital tax and the Irish champagne sales losing their fizz. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.