Breakfast Business

Consumer spending is the backbone of the Irish economy and was seriously impacted by the inflation spike two years ago. Inflation has abated and real incomes are rising so the latest finding from the Credit Union's consumer survey is that there has been a broad but modest rise in consumer sentiment. The renowned economist Austin Hughes compiles and edits the report for the credit union and discusses the findings with Joe this morning on the show.

Almost a quarter of a millennium ago, Carton Brothers set up a business in Co Meath which became Manor Farm. They now have 140 farmers who process 1 million chickens every single week and supply poultry products to most of Ireland‘s supermarkets.Manor Farm specialises in corn fed and free range chicken but have they been under pressure from animal rights groups or the growth in vegetarianism?  To hear more above the business Joe was joined by Cathal Garvey the Chief Executive of Manor Farms .

We all talk about AI but is there an empirical link between adopting AI for your company and a surge in sales or a fall in your costs?  A survey for Eir Evo suggests there is and it says that more than a third of SMEs have already adopted some AI features.  But a quarter feel that their employees lack the digital skills to utilise AI properly. Martin Wells, Managing Director at Eir Evo joined Joe this morning on the show to discuss further.

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

We've had a lot of reforms in the European insurance sector in the last few years, whether it's DORA, CSRD, insolvencies one and two. In Ireland we have seen major changes to the rules surrounding compensation payments from courts for slips and trips in order to get insurance premiums down.  To discuss further Joe spoke to with Petra Hielkema the Chair of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and began by asking whether there might be a bit too much regulation and legislation out there?

Discrimination is not new in the workplace and according to a survey out today 60% of employees claim to have seen or suffered from it. But far right or extreme views is the latest tendency to have manifested itself at work according to Matrix recruitment. It suggests that some staff members may be sharing or expressing anti immigrant sentiment as well as a ‘push back’ towards diversity and inclusion targets where they work.  Speaking to Joe this morning was Rena Weld is the Managing Director of Matrix Recruitment which carried out the survey. 

Joe Lynam takes a look at Tuesday's main business headlines this morning.

Our next guest is an entrepreneur who trains homeless people to become baristas and sell fully recyclable toilet paper.  His new book called Obsolete calls on Entrepreneurs to use their know how for good causes and to give back.  But sometimes it’s difficult to square the circle of making a profit and always doing the best for the environment and society.  Chris Baker joined Joe on the show this morning.

Russ Mould from AJ Bell brings us the international business news this morning.

Behind every product you pick off the shelf in a shop is a tangled and complex logistical network.  Many of us don't know how much paperwork is involved. AllMed is a freight forwarder meaning it helps get products from all corners of Europe to either supermarkets or warehouses.  The business was affected by Brexit but not in the way you think! Martin Carr is the Managing Director of Allmed which is hosting a big logistical conference in Kilkenny this week and spoke to Joe this morning on the show.

Did you know that Ireland at 1500 has the highest number of Actuaries per capita in the world.  The vast majority work for insurance companies assessing risk and probabilities. In Fact the insurance sector here is booming helped in no small part by Brexit and a reliable fiscal policy.  But many consumers complain that policy premiums have not been falling despite major reforms to cap payouts and keep insurance costs down.  So why is that? Joe asked Moyagh Murdock the Chief Executive of Insurance Ireland. 

Enterprise Ireland’s job is to support indigenous Irish companies and encourage them to grow and export.  But it also picks winners and firms with especially good prospects and refers them to a special unit referred to as High Potential Startups. Recently it handed out its prestigious HPSU of the year award. To discuss that and how it picks high calibre entrepreneurs, Joe spoke to Jenny Melia is Executive Director with Enterprise Ireland.

Aidan Donnelly joins Joe on the show to look through Friday's business news and markets.

Joe Lynam takes a run through of the main business healdines and news this morning.

Are you or your company aware of DORA or NIS2 or the Data Act yet?  They’re all tough new strictures from the EU to protect against data leaks, fraud and cyber attacks and they're coming into force soon starting with the EU-wide cybersecurity directive known as NIS2 which should have started today. But what are they and what type of companies need to sit up and be ready? We hear from Michael Cronin is MD with the Kildare based technology consultants OpenSky Data Systems.

The Danish retailers Jysk have been spreading their wings in Ireland.  They hope to have 30 outlets in this country over the next few years.  But is there a risk of market saturation and will they get enough staff to run those stores?  Speaking to Joe this morning was Roni Tuominen the Country Manager of Jysk UK and Ireland.  

Last week we had a business leader on the show who said that the civil service here simply didn't ‘get’ entrepreneurs.  It’s certainly true that risk taking and starting your own business is not for everyone.  Paul Cheek, the Executive Director of the MIT Martin Trust Centre for Entrepreneurship was a serial tech entrepreneur and now lectures in the world famous MIT about startups and innovation. Paul joined Joe this morning on the show.

Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam takes a run through of Wednesday's business news headlines.

According to the Banking and Payments Federation, a measly 28% considered moving their home loans over the past year, even though interest rates are now coming down.  Even though it may not be in the best interests of all its members the BPFI is launching a new website to promote switching called InYourInterest.ie and promoting a standardised salary certificate.  We got the details from Brian Hayes the Chief Executive of the BPF.

Love it or loathe it the deposit return scheme for bottles and Cans has been with us since February and the latest data from the largest Supermarket group in the land says that there is a “return rate“ of 95%. The Musgrave group which owns Centra and Supervalu, has more than 100 machines operating in its stores. But is it too soon to declare a victory and what else can be done by consumers to make shopping more sustainable? Speaking to Joe to discuss further was Owen Keogh Head of Sustainability with the Musgrave Group.