Breakfast Business

In a year of instability and uncertainty for the hospitality sector, those who can adapt and thrive deserve recognition. The Wright Group, which operates food and beverages outlets such as the award-winning Marqette at Dublin Airport, has earned several awards for Excellence and Innovation. Ronan Galligan, Chief People Officer for The Wright Group and winner of the Business Post Leadership Excellence Awards joined Emmet this morning on the show.

Wednesday's business headlines and news along with Emmet Oliver.

We take a run through Tuesday's business news headlines.

Growth will be above 3% next year and the year after while unemployment will remain around 4.4% and Inflation will be below the ECB target of 2% in the coming 24 months.  They are the assessments of the Central Bank of Ireland in its final Quarterly bulletin of the year.  But the CBI foresees a slowdown in global trade which could have a more pronounced impact on Ireland. Joe spoke to Robert Kelly Director of Economics and Statistics with the Central Bank of Ireland.

If you like your soft drinks to be big on flavour but short on additives, you’ll know there’s a lot of competition out there.  Among them is the Irish company Sisú which is Finnish for ‘determination’ and is an apt name for a firm set up by Brian McGann and now run by him and his daughter.  SiSú now sells cold-pressed juices, kombucha drinks, wellness shots and plant-based milks.

The Greens may be out of power in the next government but demand for so-called Green jobs is growing in Ireland.  That was the view of a study by the IDA alongside LinkedIN and Microsoft.  But will that demand wane if the drive to decarbonise slows down for political reasons all over the world?  We discuss with Sue Duke is the country Manager of LinkedIN Ireland.

Kathleen Brooks from XTB research takes a look at Monday's business news along with Joe Lynam.

They are from Galway, employ 2 and a half thousand people, won a significant legal battle against McDonalds and saw their profits soar 28% last year.  They are of course Supermacs and their semi eponymous owner Pat McDonagh is not one for resting on his well feathered laurels.  The restaurant chain has opened up an outlet in Dublin airport and he continues to expand his forecourt business. But he’s also very worried about staffing and business costs which have jumped significantly over the past year.  Pat McDonagh founder of Supermacs joined Joe this morning on the show.

A majority of Irish businesses have either adopted or plan to integrate a clear AI strategy within the next year. However high costs remain a barrier to innovation.  Those are among the findings of the new Innovation Index Pulse Survey conducted by IRDG and KPMG. To discuss the findings further Emmet spoke to Dermot Casey the CEO of IRDG Innovation Network.

Job roles that are in high demand should see an average salary increase of 10 - 11%.  That’s among the predictions in the new Matrix Recruitment Salary Guide. Emmet discuses these predictions with Rena Weld Recruitment Manager at Matrix Recruitment.

We go through all the business news and markets with Economist  Alan Hughes along with Emmet Oliver.

 In 1993 an acronymous split in the sport of darts happened. Emerging as a result of two of the biggest name in darts revolted against British Darts Organisation. Cathal Mullaney from Off The Ball tells us all about it.

 Donald Trump will be inaugurated in 5 weeks from now and countries and companies are collectively trying to assess what it will mean for them.  Based on his own public comments and campaign promises, tariffs are on the way.  But on what goods and at what rate.  No other European nation is as dependent on corporate America as Ireland.  So what should its businesses start doing in anticipation of Trump 2.0? All to discuss with Ambrose Conroy the Chief Executive of the global manufacturing consultants Seraph. 

It’s likely that the build up of savings during lockdowns played an important role in the surge in house prices since 2022.  It’s also becoming a self fulfilling prophecy in many wealthy countries that house hunters assume prices will rise further and so pay more for property.  They are among the findings of a new report by the ESRI which was published alongside its regular economic forecast.  Dr Conor O’Toole is Associate Research Professor with the ESRI joined Joe this morning to discuss the findings.

Thursday's business news headlines with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

They say in sport that it’s all about small margins. The same is certainly true of business and some companies unknowingly reduce their own bottom line by failing to claim VAT that they've already paid for in Inputs. Paul Wallace played for Leinster, Ireland and the Lions but now he helps large companies find those missing expenses so that they can claim back from the tax man. Paul Wallace is the Managing Director of Vat Logic and chatted to Joe about his business and work.

If you're having guests over for Christmas this year, the chances are you’ll consider getting your windows cleaned. Joe spoke to a young entrepreneur who offers Ireland's first window cleaning subscription as well as using renewable water sources to clean. Luke Joyce from theCleaningCompany.ie chatted to Joe as he was doing his work.  

Wednesday's business headlines and news along with Joe Lynam.

Have you had your office Christmas party yet? If not, you’re running out of time, but aside from the revelry and celebrations with your colleagues, employers have a certain duty of care.  Catherine Hayes, Managing Associate in the Employment, Immigration and Reward team at Lewis Silkin discuss this further with Joe.

Last Friday the EU commission signed a landmark trade deal with the key group of South American nations.  Known as Mercosur or the southern market it opens up major nations such as Argentina and Brazil to tariff free goods from the EU but equally it slashes tariffs on South American farm produce here in Europe.  French and Irish farmers have already expressed major skepticism towards the deal and both have a lot of political clout. Joe discuss this further with Adam Woods is the Deputy editor of the Irish Farmers Journal.