Breakfast Business

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

Yesterday a US appeals court threw out an appeal by the White House to decline refunds for those companies who paid tariffs on imported goods after the US Supreme Court said they were illegal.  That means the lower courts can now start refunding billions of dollars by claimants.  But the White House is using different legal statutes to keep the tariffs in place for nearly all countries in what can technically be described as ‘a mess’ for exporters from Europe.  So what happens now? All to discuss with Mark Ludwikowski Chair of Clark Hill's International Trade Practice. 

If you have money to spare and want to support Irish Startups at an early stage, it’s always possible to do so and is one of the more tax efficient ways of helping indigenous companies through the EIIS scheme. Joe Bergin the Chief Executive Elkstone  specialises in providing a pool of Investment money for Irish Startups and he may find himself busy towards the end of the year if, as expected, the capital gains tax rate is cut to encourage more risk taking investment.

Wednesday's business news review along with Joe Lynam.

Tuesday's business news review along with Joe Lynam.

Repak is an environmental not-for-profit organisation charged with improving recycling and re-use of packaging by companies.  It’s also a major proponent of the circular economy and of course sponsors our Green Businessperson of the Month on this programme.  It’s also a sponsor of ESG Strategy of the Newstalk Changemaker awards and Zoe Kavanagh is the Chief Executive of Repak.

We all know that AI is set to transform our lives but few of us are in a position to leverage it for their companies especially if they are SMEs.  This week - as part of the Local Enterprise Week. Google is getting together with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise offices to create a new scheme called ‘AI Works for Ireland’ in order to foster training and supports for startups and Scale-ups here. All to discuss with Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland. 

Equinix is committing USD $700M to Dundalk company Hanley Energy in a deal that will create an initial 200 new jobs in Dundalk. The deal will see Hanley Energy build a manufacturing facility to be used exclusively to build specialised power equipment for Equinix’s data centres worldwide. All to discuss with Peter Lantry MD Equinix Ireland.

Future Work World is the new book from Barry Winkless, Cpl's Executive Strategy Advisor and Head of Future of Work Institute. In it, he discusses the new kinds of workers and workplaces, from AI to creating a “hero journey” for staff.  Barry joined Susan Hayes Culleton this morning on the show. 

Donald Trump may not like them but wind turbines are here to stay and a growing part of the electricity generation mix. Now the Irish company European Green Transition has bought a group of companies in the maintenance and operation of turbines in Britain and Ireland for £3.5m.  It’s the first big purchase since EGT was floated on the alternative AIM exchange in London in 2024.Joining Joe this morning was Cathal Friel is the chair of European Green Transition PLC. 

Joe takes a look at Friday's business news along with Austin Hughes from AJ Bell.

Almost 90% of pallets used in the construction sector end up in landfill. The company CJ Sheeran uses the ‘Pallet Loop’ system to reuse them and prevent an estimated 1 million pallets being thrown in skips. Lisa Dooley from CJ Sheeran is our Green Businessperson of the Month in association with Repak. 

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

Whether it is electronic golf or shuttle boards or modern darts, there is plenty to do for adults at the venue of my next guest. Super Social is celebrating its first anniversary and is talking about expanding to cater for the growing office party and couples’ night out segment of the entertainment market. But what else can it tell us about our spending patterns? All to discuss with Dan Begley is the cofounder of Super Social and who used to own Jumpzone. 

Safefood is the all island body charged with promoting and monitoring the quality of food and nutrition on both sides of the wide open border.  It does not have the powers of a regulator  but its role of sharing important and timely information in the event of a food scare is important. Another reason is to promote healthier eating and nutrition and Joanne Uí Chrualaoich is the chief executive of Safefood will be speaking today at IFEX: Northern Ireland's food, drink and hospitality trade event. 

Wednesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

If you are lucky enough to have a river flowing through or adjacent to your property and you wish to do your bit with renewable energy, you could consider a company call. they harness the power of streams and small rivers and turn them into electricity without affecting the local fish life. They aren’t selling directly to customers yet but they could provide as much energy as an average cluster of solar panels. Joe spoke to Roisin McCormack, COO with GKinetic. 

The Barry Group is one of the largest independent wholesalers and retailers in Ireland and now it’s getting together with Love Irish Food to promote the sale of locally made produce nationwide.  It comes amid rising grocery costs and increased competition from imports so it won't be that easy. All to discuss with Jim Barry the Managing Director of the Barry Group. 

It’s an awful anniversary to have to mark but it’s 4 years since the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Amazingly the Ukrainian economy has stabilised and continues to function as it had to switch to a war economy producing new cutting-edge drone technology.  Joining Joe to discuss this is the Russia expert Jason Corcoran whose new book ‘Leaving Russia’ is published in April.  Also Communications expert Cormac Smith who has worked for the British and Ukrainian governments and knows the latter very well. 

Tuesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.