Breakfast Business

They say in sport that it’s all about small margins. The same is certainly true of business and some companies unknowingly reduce their own bottom line by failing to claim VAT that they've already paid for in Inputs. Paul Wallace played for Leinster, Ireland and the Lions but now he helps large companies find those missing expenses so that they can claim back from the tax man. Paul Wallace is the Managing Director of Vat Logic and chatted to Joe about his business and work.

If you're having guests over for Christmas this year, the chances are you’ll consider getting your windows cleaned. Joe spoke to a young entrepreneur who offers Ireland's first window cleaning subscription as well as using renewable water sources to clean. Luke Joyce from theCleaningCompany.ie chatted to Joe as he was doing his work.  

Wednesday's business headlines and news along with Joe Lynam.

Have you had your office Christmas party yet? If not, you’re running out of time, but aside from the revelry and celebrations with your colleagues, employers have a certain duty of care.  Catherine Hayes, Managing Associate in the Employment, Immigration and Reward team at Lewis Silkin discuss this further with Joe.

Last Friday the EU commission signed a landmark trade deal with the key group of South American nations.  Known as Mercosur or the southern market it opens up major nations such as Argentina and Brazil to tariff free goods from the EU but equally it slashes tariffs on South American farm produce here in Europe.  French and Irish farmers have already expressed major skepticism towards the deal and both have a lot of political clout. Joe discuss this further with Adam Woods is the Deputy editor of the Irish Farmers Journal. 

Tuesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

Whether it’s Twickenham, Wembley, Old Trafford or Thomand Park, if you're a sports fan the chances are you’ve sat or stood under a composite plastic roof made by Brett Martin.Brett Martin in Co Antrim also does clear roofing for farmyards all over Ireland as well as guttering all over the world and its low carbon products are increasingly popular worldwide.Joining Joe this morning on the show was Robin Black from Brett Martin in Newtownabbey. 

Have you started your Christmas cooking shopping list yet?  Turkey, Ham, goose, parsnips, brussels sprouts of course.  But what about the condiments to accompany these seasonal treats? Whether its relishes, speciality mayonnaise or sauces, most of us dig up the cranberry sauce as well to moisten up the turkey and Ballymaloe is one of the better known brands and is relaunching its Cranberry sauces. Maxine Hyde General Manager with Ballymaloe foods spoke to Joe this morning on the show.

Russ Mould from AJ Bell brings us all the market and business news.

All the business news with Aidan Donnelly from Davys.

ChatGPT has celebrated the launch of its second anniversary by OpenAI, becoming the fastest-growing consumer application in history.   For more on this Emmet spoke to Ciara O'Brien, Technology Writer with the Irish Times.

New findings from the Central Statistics Office CSO reveal that the Irish Gross Domestic Product has had a 3.5% increase over a three month period from July to September. To discuss further with Emmet was Austin Hughes, Economist.

The insurance company Royal London entered the Irish market in 2011 when it took over Caledonian life but it’s been around for more than 150 years. It now sells life insurance products and is one of the fastest growing insurers in the market. But how does it grow in a much smaller market and how does it compete with the bigger boys such as Irish life? Noel Freeley is the chief executive of Royal London Ireland and joined Joe this morning in studio.

Founded by Seán Mulryan 42 years ago, Ballymore is one of the biggest construction companies in Britain and Ireland these days. Currently building the Guinness Quarter, Sea Gardens in Bray as well as numerous large projects in the UK.  To burnish its credentials here Ballymore has also agreed to use a Guaranteed Irish Supply chain.  But with a major slump in commercial property and intense political pressure to build homes, what’s it like being a major builder these days? Joe asked Pat Phelan the Managing Director of Ballymore Ireland.

Thursday's business news and updates along with Joe Lynam.

The company that runs Dublin and Cork airports is back in the courts today as the full hearing starts into whether caps can be placed on passenger numbers when the busy summer season starts next year. DAA has also published its passenger numbers for the month of November and a record 2.5 million people used both airports bringing to 31 million for the first 11 months of the year in Dublin and on target to breach the passengers cap. Joe was joined on the show by Kenny Jacobs the Chief Executive of DAA. 

If you're saving money every month for your future pension income, that money will be stored and managed in a Fund.  It’s a huge industry which often earns huge profits but ebbs and flows with the global economy.  The Irish funds sector has blossomed since Brexit but so too has that of Luxembourg and France.  So, the funds sector here wants the incoming government to simplify regulation of the investment sector and even improve financial literacy.  Speaking to Joe this morning was Pat Lardner the Chief Executive of Irish Funds, the industry’s representative body for the funds and asset management industry. 

We take a look at Wednesday's business news headlines.

If you're a regular purchaser of alcohol you’ll know that Ireland has the 3rd highest excise duties in Europe and among the highest supermarket prices per unit in the world. That’s despite thousands of tourists coming to this country just to enjoy our famed stouts, whiskeys and liqueurs. But is there even more regulation to come on alcohol and how does the industry respond?   Speaking to Joe this morning was Patrick Rigney is the founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin and now chairs Dublin’s newest brewery owned by some of the city’s biggest publicans. 

Running any business these days is tough enough but add in the extra emotional intensity of running a football club whose fortunes ebb and flow, makes it an even more challenging Enterprise. Dermot Usher started off in the bathroom business and still runs SONAS bathrooms. He’s also trying his hand at running Cork city FC and recently decided to ditch all the middle men and make his own shirts for the club. Dermot Usher owner of Cork City FC joined Joe on the show.