Breakfast Business

All the market and business news with Joe Lynam and along with Kathleen Brooks from XTB.

My next guest is Managing Director of a company which is celebrating its 25th year in business this year and is one of Ireland’s leading manufacturing exporters.  Martin McVicar, Managing Director of Combilift joined Jonathan this morning.

Kate English from Deloitte goes through the main business stories along with Jonathan Healy.

A new €1.8m brewery has opened its doors in Dublin.  Changing Times Brewery is based in Glasnevin, along the banks of the Royal Canal, and is backed by the families behind some of Dublin’s most beloved pubs. Speaking to Jonathan was Ronan Lynch, Owner of The Swan Bar on this new venture.

Thursday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

Eir aka Eircom aka Telecom Eireann back in the days when it took months to get a telephone line installed, is now in fully private and very French hands and has just published a report into the company’s Economic and social impact. It says its broadband is set to reach 84% of Irish households narrowing the gap. between the digital ‘haves’ and 'have-nots’. But Ireland is still the 3rd most expensive nation in the EU for broadband. Joe discuss this and more with Oliver Loomes the Chief Executive of Eir.

A conglomerate is a holding company which owns many disparate businesses often unrelated.  DCC is Ireland’s biggest but it’s set to cease being one as it’s now said that it will divest itself of its healthcare and technology divisions and focus exclusively on Energy and make a real push on renewable and low carbon fuels.  It’s a big move and one that was cheered by the markets yesterday when shares jumped 14% in a single day. Donal Murphy Chief Executive of DCC Plc joined Joe on the show this morning.

Joe Lynam takes a run through of some of the main business news headlines this morning.

If you ever wondered where the name Maxol came from, well it was set up by the McMullan family 104 years ago.  The fuels and retail chain is still in family hands and it has just published its annual results for last year showing a profit of €27m on a turnover of €756m.Maxol rolled out its first Ultra Rapid EV Hub in Newbridge this year and it’s retrofitting nearly all of its stores which are run by franchisees. Speaking to Joe this morning was Brian Donaldson the Chief Executive of Maxol. 

Tuesday's business headlines along with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Unemployment remains at near record lows and has done so for 2 years.  It means that in a fully functioning economy, employees rather than employers hold the whip hand in pay and conditions talks.  But do they really? Who is looking for jobs here and what types of jobs are they looking for? Joe asked Jack Kennedy is Senior Economist with the recruitment website Indeed.

There are quite a few family-owned or run companies in the hospitality sector who are worried about rising costs including minimum wages, energy and misc employment costs.  Over the weekend Fine Gael said it would cut VAT in that sector to 11% and yesterday Fianna Fail promised to cut PRSI if they get back in. To discuss what family run companies want from a new government Joe spoke to John McGrane the Executive Director of the Family Business Network.

Those of you renewing your car insurance will have certainly noticed that premiums have been going up appreciably despite nothing changing in your own circumstances. That's because the cost of car repairs and the vehicles themselves have soared in value. The cost to your business of a cyber attack is also soaring and new research says that fewer than 10% of SMEs have cyber cover.  Joining Joe to talk about all things insurance is Damian Smith from Campion Insurance Brokers. 

There was a time not long ago when Hydrogen was seen as the great and cheap hope for renewable energy.  A fuel that is bountiful and emits only water.  But the  S&P Kensho Hydrogen Economy Index which measures companies that focus on Hydrogen fell to an all time low over the summer amid fears of a recession. Will things might get even worse for those in the Hydrogen space? Joe asked Paul McCormack the Chief Executive of Hydrogen Ireland. 

Monday's business news headlines review with Joe Lynam and Kathleen brooks from XTB.

The Australian government has announced that no one under the age of 16 will be allowed to use social media from now on. It’s the first such decision by a western government and may even start a trend. But could it work or would it be flouted?  Our Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly has more.

David Duffy use to run Virgin Money in the UK but sold it to the Nationwide building society this year. You would remember him because he used to run AIB after it was all but nationalised in 2011.  Apart from Ireland and the UK he’s also worked for global players including Goldman Sachs and Standard bank in South Africa. Joe asked David has banking changed?

Securitization is the financial alchemy of taking not easily or non tradable assets, pooling them together, and selling tradable shares or securities in that pool to investors. Many people blame securitisation for the financial crisis of 2007 as many worthless mortgages had been included and given a much higher value by the ratings agencies. Now there are moves afoot to restart the use of securitisation in Europe in order to create a capital market union and boost private sector investment. Needless to say there are detractors. Joe spoke to Julia Symon is Head of Research and Advocacy with Finance Watch.

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

Making a cup of coffee is not especially great for the environment.  It’s grown thousands of miles away, shipped and stored, roasted and then steamed before we take our first sip. So making that whole process greener or more sustainable is tough but that’s what Bewleys are hoping to do with the beans that they will use in their restaurants by using a process called Integrated Open Canopy in the jungles of Honduras. It’s even earned praise from Jane Goodall.  But can you do all this without having to pass on the additional cost to consumers?  Joining Joe in studio Cathal Murphy, is Head of Innovation and Sustainability at Bewleys.