Breakfast Business

Ireland is fairly well represented at the top tables of the European Central Bank.  The Central Bank of Ireland Governor sits on the body which decides interest rates, while Philip Lane is the ECB Chief Economist.  We also have Sharon Donnery who doesn't set rates but sits on the Supervisory Board of the ECB  and supervises the largest banks of the euro area. Sharon joined Joe on the show this morning.

Version-1 is opening up a brand-new AI facility in Ireland and creating 250 jobs and hundreds more north of the border as well as part of its digital transformation rollout. It’s a vote of confidence at a time of immense geopolitical upheaval. But will it lure a proper indigenous AI sector here? All to discuss with Roop Singh the Chief Executive of Version 1 .

Wednesday's business news review with Joe Lynam.

Today OpenAI has also published a study suggesting that most of us are using AI in the workplace to the extent that we gain 5 hours a week by doing so. But we still lack the AI skills and confidence to leverage its usage. Joe discussed this and more with Emma Redmond is the Head of OpenAI Ireland.  

My next guest supplies eggs to the biggest supermarkets in Ireland courtesy of 120,000 chickens supplying millions of eggs every year. Connolly eggs mostly supply organic and free-range products, and this month have signed a major deal with Marks & Spencer. But will they be impacted by rising inflation and animal feed costs caused by the war? Speaking to Joe this morning was Kevin Connolly the Quality Manager with Connolly eggs. 

Just shy of half the entire population of Ireland has some form of private health insurance. It means that when insurance companies such as LAYA, Irish Life or VHI increase their premiums But are the price rises that we have seen of late justified? And why is that 82% of us don't shop around for better health cover? All to discuss with Brian Lee, CEO of the Health Insurance Authority. 

Joe Lynam brings us Tuesday's business news review.

Venturewave Capital which seeks out Irish companies with decent potential and takes a stake in them.  Venturewave is backed by some high profile luminaries.  But how will private equity react amid an worldwide energy shock which could push us all into a nasty recession? All to discuss with Kieran McLoughlin is Managing Partner at Venturewave Capital. 

A report from State Street bank says that more than 70% of retirees in Ireland rely on the State pension as their primary income source. But we’re all living longer and healthier lives, so the dependency ratio is growing . So, what's to be done in order not to over-burden working taxpayers?  Joining Joe to discuss further was Ann Prendergast the Executive Vice President and Head of the Europe with State Street Investment management.

Monday's business news review with Joe Lynam and Russ Mould from AJ Bell.

Joe was joined in studio by Sam the Robot. He belongs to the Meath based company Fusion Tech and he and robots like him may soon become a regular sight in homes and offices doing the kind of chores that we’re not so keen on. His owner for now at least is Gerry McDonnell, the Chief Executive of Fusion Tech.

March is Guaranteed Irish month.  We’ve already seen a great surge in pride in our rugby team and our actresses and of course the world went green on Tuesday. But does your business consider where a product or service comes from before it buys?  Or is price the main determinant? All to discuss with Bríd O’Connell the Chief Executive of Guaranteed Irish.

All the business news headlines along with Newstalk's Business Editor and Leonie MacCann from Irish Life Investment Managers.

Farms can be among the most energy-hungry but also emissions-heavy businesses in the economy.  Local Power Ltd has teamed up with the Austrian company Biogest to develop a biomethane site in Carnaross in Co Meath which they hope to turn nasty smelling slurry and waste into cleaner renewable energy.   But it will only proceed once the Government decides which types of renewable energy should be obligatory. Joining Joe on the show this morning was Pat Smith the Director of Local Power Ltd. 

Specsavers has a whopping 2800 stores worldwide including 66 or so here in Ireland. They provide far more than just glasses to their customers. Indeed as of this month they carry out cataract and glaucoma operations in-house. But with the arrival of online eye testing and cheap alternatives and hearing aids from overseas, how will Specsavers manage? All to discuss with Kerril Hickey, Chair of Specsavers Ireland. 

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

Thursday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

Whether it’s crude oil, liquified natural gas, jet fuel, helium or fertiliser, they are all fossil fuel derived and mostly originate in the part of the Middle East currently at war and blockaded.    Our utter dependence on the narrow strait of Hormuz has been underlined for the past few weeks.  But how can we wean ourselves off this area and how do we manage to avoid a very damaging energy crisis? All to discuss with Robert Maxwell iPrincipal Consultant with the energy company DNV consulting. 

Whether it’s Roy Keane or James Lowe or newer stars such Troy Parrott or Erin King, sports stars are increasingly marketable entities.  Sport Endorse is an Irish founded platform that brings together athletes with companies that wish to sponsor them. Only this week it launched its business in the US with a presence in South Africa as well as the UK making it a global player.     Joining Joe in studio was Trevor Twamley, Founder and Ceo of ‘Sport Endorse’ .

After five years of trying, Revolut has finally secured a full banking licence to form Revolut Bank UK.   So what does this mean for customers and how will AI impact on your banking experience? All to discuss with John Cronin Founder & Research Analyst at SeaPoint.