Breakfast Business

There is a phrase that ‘Demography is destiny’ and India’s destiny looks increasingly good.  It passed China recently as the most populous nation on Earth with 1.3bn people while birth rates are falling everywhere else.  But its economy is also booming and is set to pass out Japan and Germany to become the 3rd largest in the world.   And its middle class will soon start moving the dial in terms of global trade.  But its poverty levels are still huge and it could take a century to modernise its infrastructure.  Joe discusses all with James Pomeroy is Global economist with HSBC. 

Joe Lynam takes a run through Tuesday business headlines.

Next week the new European commission will be sworn in with Michael McGrath as the Justice commissioner. That means this week is the last one for Mairead McGuinness, the Commissioner for financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union.  She’s had a bit to deal with since taking over in 2020 including a global pandemic, a war on the European continent and a surge in inflation as well as right wing extremism. But her primary concern has been on financial services and sanctions on Russia. How is her report card at the end of her time? Commissioner Mairead McGuinness joined Joe this morning on the show.

Black Friday is officially this coming Friday but we all know that the online sales have begun already.  Most retailers are honest and open but unfortunately there are unscrupulous fraudsters out there who design very believable websites selling non-existent goods or services.   Often, it's up to the discretion of individual banks as to whether they will refund money spent on these fake sites.  One major bank PTSB says its software has slashed fake website clicks. Speaking to Joe this morning was Peter Vance is the Chief Operating officer for PTSB.

The famous privacy advocate Max Schrems took the Facebook owner Meta to the European court of Justice and got a key ruling last month. This could have a major impact on online advertising and how personal information is handled by the big social media giants.  The ruling led to Meta changing its terms and conditions and to criticism from One of its Directors Nick Clegg.  But what exactly do companies need to know? To discuss further Joe spoke to Bryony Long is the Co lead of Lewis Silkin’s Data, Privacy and Cyber Group.

Russ Mould  from AJ Mould takes a look at the main business news stories along with Joe Lynam.

Joe was joined by Patrick Atkinson, chief executive of Chadwicks Ireland to discuss the scholarship programme Chadwicks launched with TU Dublin earlier this year amid a fall off in people going into trades. 

Jess Kelly joined Joe to discuss Bluesky's massive growth.

Friday's business news headlines with Aidan Donnelly from Davys.

 Increasing costs are presenting a “major challenge” for Ireland’s foodservice sector, according to the latest Bord Bia annual Foodservice Market Insights report. Maureen Gahan, Foodservice specialist at Bord Bia joined Emmet on the show this morning.

The finance function is under pressure to reassess its role and relevance as it moves into the next decade, according to a new report by PwC, ACCA and Chartered Accountants ANZ.  Emmet discuss this report findings with Ruth McNamee, PwC Ireland Finance Transformation Director. 

Thursday's business news headlines along with Emmet Oliver.

Bears Club, founded by mums Ashley Doyle and Katherine McCalmont. It is the go-to online community for sustainability-conscious parents, offering high-quality, gently used baby products alongside a supportive platform for connecting and sharing parenting resources. Katherine McCalmont joined Emmet on the show this morning.

The latest House Rebuilding Guide from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland reveals that national average rebuild costs, including demolition and site clearance, have risen by 6.2% over the past year. We discuss these figures with Kevin Brady, Chartered Quantity Surveyor from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.    

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

It’s been 1000 harrowing days since Russia started its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian economy collapsed by 30% in the first year of the war but has stabilised somewhat since then. This war is far from over but how will the economy recover from the vast destruction of its people and infrastructure once it does end? Dmytro Shchedrin, Deputy Head of the Embassy, First Secretary on Economic Issues, Embassy of Ukraine in Ireland discussed with Joe this morning.

Tuesday's business news headlines with Joe Lynam.

It’s International Men's day today and thankfully the roles which used to be clearly dominated by one gender or another have become far more blurred.  That goes for caring for offspring especially.  According to the 30% club, which aims to get more women on boards, 72% of men are actively involved in looking after children and that is especially pronounced among younger men. And because men are stepping up more, it could benefit everyone in the workplace.Gillian Harford, Country Executive of 30% Club joined Joe this morning on the show.

The value of Community enterprise is worth €1.8bn to the Irish economy.  That includes innovation hubs and local enterprise centres.  Community enterprise may not get the attention of the FDI sector but its usefulness to less urbanised parts of the country can't be underrated. Speaking to Joe this morning was Siobhan Finn the Chief Executive of the Community Enterprise Association.

Most of us will at some stage in our lives have to get our eyes tested, acquire glasses, contact lenses or perhaps even get corrective laser eye surgery. The people who do that are qualified optometrists formerly known as ophthalmic opticians.  These 800 professionals, who employ thousands more in their practices, are not happy at how much they get paid by the state to carry out tests for HSE approved patients. Joe spoke to Liz Grennan from Optometry Ireland.