Breakfast Business

The Irish economy continues to grow, but the risks are now rising due to geopolitical and trade issues which will have a disproportionate impact on our economy due to our overdependence on American multinationals.That’s the view of the Central Bank of Ireland in its latest financial stability report. Joe spoke to Gabriel Makhlouf, the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland and began by asking whether there was a risk that American companies.

15 years ago, Ireland was in a very different place economically. The economy was on its knees, and the government had to step in to bail out the entire banking system. It created a so-called “bad bank“ to take on €31.8 billion of banking debt where no one else would. People were skeptical that it would ever break-even but NAMA winds up this year having paid back that €32 billion and a surplus of €5.5 billion to Irish taxpayers. Speaking to Joe this morning was Brendan McDonagh the Chief Executive of NAMA.

Rumours of a wobble among Irish consumers appear to have been exaggerated according to the latest Personal Finance outlook from Bank of Ireland.  It says that debit and credit card spending rose by 6.5% year-on-year led by spending in restaurants and on accommodation.  But with the world only adjusting to a global tariff war, is it too soon to say the consumer is brushing off any of the impact? To discuss further Joe spoke to  Conall Mac Coille is the chief economist with Bank of Ireland. 

Taste of Dublin starts tomorrow in Merrion Sq.  It’s a chance for people to sample all sorts of cuisine including food that is grown and made right here in Ireland.   The body which represents many food producers - Love Irish Food - has conducted a poll of its members and it found that wage inflation and retaining staff were the 2 biggest threats facing the sector.  Despite that 70% remained confident about the future and the sector. Speaking to Joe this morning was Conor Kilduff is Executive Director, Love Irish Food.

Wednesday's business headlines and news with Joe Lynam.

It's no secret that housing and failure to deliver enough of them, is one of the most pressing issues facing the economy. The arrival also of AI and its importance to a knowledge based economy like Ireland are also among the top three priorities included in Pwc‘s pre-budget submission. But are there any easy political solutions to these issues? speaking to Joe this morning was Paraic Burke, Tax Leader at PwC Ireland. 

Whether you work in a small lab, a giant pharmaceutical company, academia or other research facilities, you’ll be aware of the strict rules surrounding how chemical waste needs to be disposed of. Kevin Walsh witnessed a chemical accident when the wrong chemical waste was mixed with a highly volatile substance and it encouraged him to set up a company to ensure other labs don’t make the same mistake. His company is called Chemishield and it announced last week that it’s employing a further 50 people to expand their business globally. Kevin Walsh is the Chief Executive of Chemishield and joined Joe in studio this morning.

Tuesday's business headlines with Joe Lynam.

All Monday's business news and markets with Russ Mould from AJ Bell. 

The Land Development Agency is designed to develop and build affordable housing on state owned lands. Although a relatively new agency, it has discovered recently that often the biggest obstacle to construction is other semi state or government-controlled bodies. Joining Joe on the show was Phelim O’Neill the Director of Development with the Land Development Agency. 

Kealan Lennon is the Chief Executive of CleverCards which is a fintech company, which provides prepaid credit cards - increasingly preferred by companies as a way to reward their staff without exposing them to Benefit in Kind.   He’s also very aware of the changing banking habits by Irish consumers which he thinks is happening quicker than the big traditional banks appreciate.

Joe is joined by Siobhan Casey, Brand Manager at Bulmers Ireland, to explain why cider sales are falling despite strong overall volumes and what’s next for the brand.Listen here.

Eoin Byrne, Cluster Manager at Cyber Ireland, joins Breakfast Business to outline how firms across the island are cooperating to counter rising cyber threats and overcome regulatory differences.Listen here.

Lisa Brankin, Chair of Ford in Britain and Ireland, joins Breakfast Business to explain how the company is recovering from recent recalls and its strategy to regain a top-five market position.Listen here.

Joe Lynam goes through all the biggest business news on Thursday for Breakfast Business.Listen here.

Kilian Finane of Finline Furniture joins Breakfast Business to talk about restoring furniture, manufacturing in Laois, and why the circular economy earned him Repak’s Green Businessperson of the Month.Listen here.

John Eason, Retail Director at B&Q Ireland, joins Breakfast Business as the company opens new stores in Navan, Waterford and Letterkenny. What’s behind the expansion — and how are customers responding?Listen here.

Get all the latest business news with Joe from this morning's papers.Listen here.

John Ryan, founder of Healthy Place to Work, joins Joe Lynam to explain how employers can create physically and mentally healthy work environments — and why it matters for performance.Listen here.

Babak Hodjat, Chief Technology Officer for AI at Cognizant, joins Breakfast Business to explain how Agentic AI could be a disruption to jobs.Listen here.