Breakfast Business

We’ve Fintech, Regtech and now InsurTech or the new technologies being deployed in the insurance sector. A new report from the Irish startup InsTech suggests that there are 114 Insurtech companies based here with the potential to make the country a cluster of innovation in insurance.  But will any of this drive down premiums? Joe asked Gary Leyden is the Chief Executive of InsTech.ie.

The next time you're at a DIY store and buy a power tool or some decking, the chances are those products will have been sourced from United Hardware which was formed last year when Associated Hardware and National Hardware came together to avail of economies of scale.Speaking to Joe this morning on the show was Paul Candon Chief Executive of United Hardware and also is a veteran of H Williams and Roches stores retailers as well as Topaz forecourts. 

Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam takes a look at Thursday's business news headlines.

In Europe many of the series and films we see here have been bought at a giant conference in Cannes known as MIPCOM.  It is not just TV, there are also video games, animation techniques as well as augmented and virtual reality. The Ireland on Screen stand, managed by Enterprise Ireland flew the flag for us last week and one of the popular cartoons is known as Carlichauns. It was represented by the former Irish ambassador to Berlin, London and Washington and now on the Advisory Board for Carlichauns Dan Mulhall.

If you've bought a ticket for Cheltenham racecourse or Connacht rugby or even Arsenal Ladies football club, you’ll have doubtless done so using technology from an Irish company called Future ticketing.  They allow all types of sporting clubs to control the money and the data involved in selling tickets.They’re rapidly expanding now in Europe and the middle east and who knows: they might eventually end up selling you Oasis or Premier league tickets. Joining Joe in the studio was Liam Holton is the founder of Future ticketing.

Wednesday's business headlines and news with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Insolvencies rates are climbing but are still well below the long term average.  But for small businesses in the hospitality sector, things are even more acute and much of that is down to those high energy costs.  Is the lack of skills especially the traditional trades such as plumbing and carpentry is creating a skills gap which is pushing up prices for all companies.  Speaking to Joe this morning was Dessie Morrow Partner in Corporate Recovery at professional services firm Azets Ireland.

Joe Lynam takes a run through Monday's main business headlines.

Oil prices sank 6% over the weekend despite Israel’s attack on Iran. The sentiment has been downwards on Oil in recent weeks despite the horrendous unrest in the Middle east. What about gas prices and the overall trend in energy prices on global markets?  Will SMEs and consumers ever benefit from lower wholesale prices?  Joe asked Robert Maxwell Principal Consultants with the energy company DNV. 

You're probably familiar with the Chinese technology giant Huawei.  It’s banned from US government contracts and has gone a bit quieter over here too.  Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly has been taking a closer look at the rise and fall of Huawei and the possible shakeup it could deliver to the smartphone market. Tech Today brought to you today by PwC.

We take a look at Friday's business news along with Kate English from Deloitte.

Consumer spending is the backbone of the Irish economy and was seriously impacted by the inflation spike two years ago. Inflation has abated and real incomes are rising so the latest finding from the Credit Union's consumer survey is that there has been a broad but modest rise in consumer sentiment. The renowned economist Austin Hughes compiles and edits the report for the credit union and discusses the findings with Joe this morning on the show.

Almost a quarter of a millennium ago, Carton Brothers set up a business in Co Meath which became Manor Farm. They now have 140 farmers who process 1 million chickens every single week and supply poultry products to most of Ireland‘s supermarkets.Manor Farm specialises in corn fed and free range chicken but have they been under pressure from animal rights groups or the growth in vegetarianism?  To hear more above the business Joe was joined by Cathal Garvey the Chief Executive of Manor Farms .

We all talk about AI but is there an empirical link between adopting AI for your company and a surge in sales or a fall in your costs?  A survey for Eir Evo suggests there is and it says that more than a third of SMEs have already adopted some AI features.  But a quarter feel that their employees lack the digital skills to utilise AI properly. Martin Wells, Managing Director at Eir Evo joined Joe this morning on the show to discuss further.

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

We've had a lot of reforms in the European insurance sector in the last few years, whether it's DORA, CSRD, insolvencies one and two. In Ireland we have seen major changes to the rules surrounding compensation payments from courts for slips and trips in order to get insurance premiums down.  To discuss further Joe spoke to with Petra Hielkema the Chair of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and began by asking whether there might be a bit too much regulation and legislation out there?

Discrimination is not new in the workplace and according to a survey out today 60% of employees claim to have seen or suffered from it. But far right or extreme views is the latest tendency to have manifested itself at work according to Matrix recruitment. It suggests that some staff members may be sharing or expressing anti immigrant sentiment as well as a ‘push back’ towards diversity and inclusion targets where they work.  Speaking to Joe this morning was Rena Weld is the Managing Director of Matrix Recruitment which carried out the survey. 

Joe Lynam takes a look at Tuesday's main business headlines this morning.

Our next guest is an entrepreneur who trains homeless people to become baristas and sell fully recyclable toilet paper.  His new book called Obsolete calls on Entrepreneurs to use their know how for good causes and to give back.  But sometimes it’s difficult to square the circle of making a profit and always doing the best for the environment and society.  Chris Baker joined Joe on the show this morning.

Russ Mould from AJ Bell brings us the international business news this morning.