Breakfast Business

For decades pharmacists have been giving free advice and care to their customers but now, they will be able to legally prescribe some medication as well.  It’s a step change and will hopefully unclog GP surgeries but also benefit pharmacies economically.  They will only be allowed to prescribe 8 very specific symptoms but it’s hoped the list will grow.  All to discuss with Caoimhe McAuley who is Director of Pharmacy & Superintendent Pharmacist with Boots and IPU Vice-president. 

Some of you out there may have already had free gifts from your employer. Some of you may have received a prepaid credit card and some of you may have received other rewards from the boss.But employers and employees need to know that the total value in any year can never exceed €1500 if Benefit in Kind is to be avoided.  We’re also approaching the deadline for contractors who aren't on payroll to be registered with Revenue if most of their income comes from one company.  All to discuss with Michelle Dunne, Employment Tax Director with Grant Thornton. 

We’re only a few weeks away from the start of auto enrollment whereby nearly everyone at work will be signed up to a pension scheme.  But many employers can opt to launch their workplace retirement schemes and often do this saving with giants like Zurich, Irish Life or Aviva.  As of this week they could choose to go for a brand-new Irish pension company offering a low-cost digital-only way for them to save their and their workers’ retirement savings. Speaking to Joe with more on this was Ailish Dooley the Chief Executive with Zen Pensions. 

Wednesday's business headlines with Joe Lynam.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s State of Competition in Ireland reports suggest that competition has weakened in several important areas within the Services Sector of the economy in recent years. Speaking to Emmet this morning was  Brian McHugh.

Tuesday's business headlines along with Emmet Oliver.

New research from Matrix Recruitment finds bullying and even far-right sentiment on the rise in Irish workplaces. Emmet spoke to Recruitment Manager Joanne Foley about the findings.

The average property in the existing homes market is being sold once every 50 years.  That’s according to a new report from property portal MyHome, in association with Bank of Ireland, which found that the rate at which existing homeowners, with mortgage debt, move home is now less than half the UK level.  All to discuss with Conall MacCoille, Chief Economist, Bank of Ireland.

Emmet Oliver takes a run through the major business stories and market trends along with Kathleen Brooks from XTB.

The government is today launching a new report Assessing Economic Trends in Ireland and Northern Ireland.  This is the first report in a new annual series from the Economic and Social Research Institute examining economic developments across the island of Ireland.  Joining Emmet this morning was Dr. Adele Bergin is an Associate Research Professor with the ESRI and co-author of the report. 

Senior directors and officers of a company currently must publish their usual residential address with the Companies Registration Office.  But the government is worried that may open these senior executives to abuse or even fraud.  That’s why it is consulting widely to see if the Companies Act needs to be changed to provide the public with a ‘contact address’ in Ireland - while keeping the residential details on file with the CRO.All to discuss with Niamh Smyth is the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. 

Friday's business news review with Kate English from Deloitte .

We don't have nuclear power stations in Ireland Britain does. But like Ireland it has had major problems getting big infrastructure projects such as nuclear power built on time and on budget.  John Fingleton was born in Laois and used to be a competition watchdog in the UK but lately has written a major report about how Britain can get things done quicker. And it has been accepted in full by Keir Starmer's government.  But can we learn here?  All to discuss with John Fingleton the head of the nuclear taskforce and former UK Competition regulator.

Thursday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

So we know the 30 points in the Government’s infrastructure action plan. We know that the government needs to introduce 2 urgent pieces of legislation to speed up delivery and cut down on regulatory and legal delays.  But will it work?   IImelda Mannion used to work for Jacobs Engineering and advised numerous governments on infrastructure planning but crucially she sat on the accelerating infrastructure Taskforce whose work was published yesterday . 

They may be Danish and not Swedish.  They may use blue instead of yellow and they might even be a bit cheaper but the comparisons between Jysk furniture stores and IKEA abound.  Jysk is a newer entrant to the Irish market business is brisk and now it’s opened its 30th store in Mahon Point in Cork with 6 more slated for next year.  It’s also making some money. Joining Joe on the show was Roni Tuominen the head of Jysk Ireland. 

The online safety regulator Coimisiún na Meán has launched a new investigation into the social media giants Tiktok and LinkedIn.  It suspects that they both have confusing and difficult to access ways for users to complain about if they suspect some content of being illegal.  Coimisiún na Meán is taking action under the new EU rules called the Digital Services Act.  All to discuss with John Evans is the Digital Services Commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán.

Wednesday's business new headlines with Joe Lynam.

It’s not that long ago when China was the second most popular destination for European goods. But things have shifted against Europe since then. With the exception of luxury goods, China is increasingly offering viable and in some cases better versions of cars, machinery and technology than we export from the EU.  So, are we in a deep hole now or could China leverage our need to sell to it for geopolitical reasons? All to discuss with  Robin Harding is Asia Editor with the Financial Times, and he wrote a controversial piece last week in which he painted a bleak picture for European exports to China. 

Two in three AI users in Ireland have seen higher productivity at work.  That’s according to PwC’s 2025 Irish & Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, which also reported most people who use AI at work see greater creativity in their jobs.  All to discuss with Laoise Mullane is Director and AI Adoption Lead, at PwC Ireland.