Breakfast Business

This time last year house prices were almost rising in double digit inflationary levels. But as we start 2026 they appear to have stabilised.  According to MyHome.ie, they are still rising robustly but by a more controlled 5.4% nationwide and a smidgeon higher outside the capital.Joe discusses the findings from the Myhome.ie report with Conall MacCoille is the Author of the and Chief Economist with Bank of Ireland.

It was only announced last spring and hasn’t even applied for planning permission but already the proposed ice arena . To be called Prime Arena is getting the backing of some major business organisations. The employers lobby group IBEC, the Telecoms giant EIR and the Olympic Federation of Ireland have come out in public support for the project. But will it ever get off the ground? Dermot Rigley is the man driving the show for the Prime Arena joined Joe in studio to chat all about the project.

Thursday business news headlines with Joe Lynam.

ECB interest rates are on hold for now but many believe their next move might be upwards. Indeed the non-bank lender ICS raised its rates yesterday.  Today, Avant Money, which is owned by the Spanish lender Bankinter, says that it’s cutting its mortgage rates. It comes as the entire sector faces a shakeup from the arrival of Monzo to Ireland and the sale of PTSB at some stage. With more on this Joe was joined in studio by Brian Lande is the head of mortgages with Avant Money.

The construction industry employs almost 200,000 people in Ireland but worryingly has had to send some of its workers overseas over the past two years because planning delays left many of them with nothing to do.  Now the sector is looking forward to the speeding up of infrastructure delivery following the major action plan released last month.  But does the sector have the capacity to rapidly ramp up? Joe discusses this and more with Andrew Brownlee is the new Director General of the Construction industry Federation .

Wednesday's business headlines with Joe Lynam.

We know now that Ireland had a better 2025 than it had feared 12 months ago.  Much of that was down to large companies in the FDI sector having a great year despite tariffs.  But how are medium sized companies especially domestic businesses getting on and how will the new geopolitical chaos affect them?  Joe discusses this with Neil Hughes the Chief Executive of Azets Ireland. 

 According to OPEC Venezuela has the world’s largest deposits of untapped reserves. But the infrastructure to get it out of the ground there is decrepit and it could take years and billions of investment to start pumping it.  So, what should we expect on the global oil markets, bearing in mind prices are already at relatively low levels?  All to discuss with Robert Maxwell Energy Consultants with DNV. 

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

From the sale of PTSB to the introduction of mortgage lending by Revolut, 2026 is set to be a busy year in the world of banking. With us to explain more is John Cronin, Founder & Research Analyst at SeaPoint Insights. 

Market and business news review with Russ Mould from  AJ Bell.

The PWC Insolvency Barometer is out today and it looks at the last three months of 2025 but what has it found. All to discuss with Ken Tyrell Head of Insolvency at PwC.

So 2025 is done and dusted. As we start a new year and another year of Donald Trump in the White House, what can we in Ireland and the global economy expect over the next 12 months. We’ve brought together two experts in the domestic and international field to help us digest things.The renowned economist Austin Hughes and Michael O’Sullivan is director and strategic adviser of Unio wealth managers and author of the book:  ‘The Levelling, What's Next After Globalisation’. 

Friday business news headlines with Joe Lynam.

Now, Christmas is a time of increased spending, and while higher prices affect everyone, the “K-shaped economy” shows inflation doesn’t affect everyone equally    Economist Austin Hughes joined Susan Hayes Culleton on the show.

Galway medtech SymPhysis Medical recently secured a $1.25m grant to support its push for US regulatory clearance and commercialisation.    The firm is also looking to complete a crowd-­funding round by the end of the year. Dr Michelle Tierney, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of SymPhysis Medical joined Susan Hayes Culleton on the show to discuss.

Susan Hayes Culleton brings us Tuesday's business news headlines.

Back for Business, the free programme aimed at supporting returned or soon-to-be-returning Irish emigrants to start and develop a business in Ireland, is seeking new applicants for its ninth cycle.     The development programme, which is funded by the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland.      Paula Fitzsimons, the National Director of Back for Busines,s joined Susan Hayes Culleton on the show.

If 2025 was a year of uncertainty about the Trump tariffs, 2026 is the year of heightened geopolitical volatility. That’s the warning from EY Ireland, who’s Co-Head of Geopolitical Strategy Simon MacAllister joined Susan Hayes Culleton on the show this morning. 

Monday's business headlines with Susan Hayes Culleton in for Joe Lynam.