Breakfast Business

The Consumer Electronics Show took place in Las Vegas earlier this week. One of the 4,000 companies exhibiting at the biggest tech of event of the year were Irish company Kuma Bikes. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly was there and caught up with the founder, Kevin Lacey. 

It’s been clear that the Irish property market is running very hot at the moment with asking prices rising at annual rates of almost 10%. But these figures often mask underlying trends. It comes 2 years after the Central Bank of Ireland relaxed its lending rules and the evidence suggests that average lending multiples are inching up towards the maximum permitted. Speaking to Joe this morning was Conall Mac Coille the Editor of the MyHome.ie survey.

Joe Lynam takes a look Thursday's business news headlines.

It’s nail-biting time for the thousand or so secondary school students who are displaying their scientific and technological prowess at the BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition this week.  That’s because the winners will be announced tomorrow. The exhibition comes as Ireland’s dependence on technology comes into sharp focus - ahead of major policy changes when Donald Trump assumes power. Joining Joe this morning in studio was Shay Walsh the Chief Executive of BT Ireland . 

The outgoing energy Minister Eamonn Ryan said last week that there shouldn't be any more new data centres until such time as the electricity grid was beefed up and able to sustain the extra qualities of energy needed to cool these data warehouses. That message will have sent a chill down the backs of those trying to make Ireland attractive for technology companies in general and AI in particular.  But was the minister right to say that building more data centres puts the horse before the cart if the grid is not ready or able to deal with surges in demand? Joe discusses this with Garry Connolly, Founder of Host in Ireland.

We were all locked down and forced to work from home almost 5 years ago.  Many people found it liberating not to have to commute to work every day and legislation was even passed to provide workers with the legal option of flexible or hybrid working.  But a new study from the Compass Group says that working from home leads to exclusion and problems with Socialisation.  Needless to say, opinion is divided. Joe discusses the report findings further with Yvonne Mulally from Compass Group. 

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

We reportedly have a problem persuading young people to go into trades or starting apprenticeships.  So it’s welcome when a modern company agrees to take on hundreds of new apprentices every year.Suir Engineering needless to say based in Waterford is doing exactly that.  Suir specialises in electrical and mechanical high voltage solutions by building substations for the likes of Eirgrid and the ESB. This week Suir has acquired its Scottish rival Taylor & Fraser.  John Kelly, Chief Executive of Suir Engineering joined Joe this morning on the show.

Donald Trump will be president in less than 2 weeks and has promised to reshore jobs back to America.  No European country is more worried than Ireland given the economy’s utter dependence on US FDI.  The vast majority of our Corporation Tax receipts emanate from only 10 companies all American.  So what sort of challenges does the IDA which lured and nurtured them to invest and stay invested in Ireland?   Feargal O'Rourke, used to head up PwC but now he chairs the IDA as well as the IIEA and also sits on the boards of C&C and Yuno.  Fergal has a new book about Irish rugby called ‘From Rags to Riches’ 

The latest AIB services index suggests that Ireland’s most important sector will continue to grow in 2025.   The services sector which accounts for more than 70% of the entire economy includes bars and hotels as well as hairdressers, architects, lawyers and of course consultants.  So things are looking up for Harry Goddard who is the boss of Deloitte Ireland one of the country’s biggest consultants.

Did you enjoy your Christmas party with your colleagues last month? Or perhaps you’re one of a growing body of companies that keeps its big company get together for the start of the year rather than the end of it? There is evidence to suggest that the big giant booze up before the Christmas holidays is falling out of favour with employers. So what should they do to mix business with pleasure and more importantly retain the goodwill of their staff in a time of very low unemployment? Joe asked Paul Davis from DavisEvents.ie  

We take a look at today's international business news stories along with Russ Mould from AJ Bell.

Mark Breen started off as a bouncer in Ballinasloe but now provides safety and events management at giant festivals mostly in Saudi Arabia. He’s in the vanguard of companies taking advantage of the rapid pace of societal change in the Middle east. Mark Breen is the Strategic Director with Safe Events Global and he joined Joe this morning on the show.

The Nasdaq and S&P were both up by a quarter last year while commodities such as Coffee were up 70% while Bitcoin soared by 170%.But with a very different US government about to take the reins, will those kinds of gains be sustainable for investors? Joe discuss this with Karl Rogers the Chief Investment Officer with Elkstone. 

Friday's business news and markets along with Joe Lynam and Austin Hughes.

If you are living outside of Ireland or have just returned from living abroad and are thinking of setting up a business, there’s a Government-run scheme that aims to help returned emigrants. The idea is to fund training workshops and guidance mentors to help get over some of the red tape that start-ups encounter. It’s called Back to Business and it’s run by Paula Fitzsimons from Fitzsimons Consulting who joined Joe this morning on the show.

Everyone knows that the higher the standard you set for your business the better for the customers.  Even better would be to have a globally recognised standard for whatever type of company you work for.  We have fairly high benchmarks here in the EU but they are often meaningless in North America or Asia. That’s where the worldwide standards set and monitored by ISO in Geneva comes in.  If you are aiming to get ISO recognised certification for your business this year, Caroline Geoghegan CG Business Consulting works in this area. 

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

Joining Joe to look at Friday's business headlines and news was Aidan Donnelly from Davy.

Storm Daragh may have swept through us 2 weeks ago but it has left lasting damage in the strategically important port of Holyhead in Wales. 1200 lorries use the port every day and now the main ferry terminal will remain closed until mid January at least. This is causing major problems for suppliers hoping to get goods over to Ireland for Christmas and the New Year shopping rush. But when will things return and how can companies respond to mitigate the issues? Shane Mann is the chief executive of fleet management and shipping technology company Tranzaura and he joined Joe