Breakfast Business

Consumption accounts for more than half of the Irish economy. But there are many who believe that consumers unlike farmers or technology companies - don't have the same protections nor the ear of senior politicians. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission was established a decade ago but only got beefed up powers to investigate last year.  Now the CCPC has put out a survey of consumers who may have experienced detriment or some sort of stress or financial loss when buying goods or services in Ireland.      Joining Joe this morning was Brian McHugh the chair of the CCPC. 

Small and medium sized companies have a lot on their plate this year.  Inflation and energy costs may be easing and interest rates look set to fall but the national minimum wage is up, auto enrolment is set to start and employers will have to cover sickness and holiday pay for the first time.  Despite that, a survey of SMEs by Azets formerly known as Baker Tilly found that economic prospects stood at a more than respectable 7.4 out of 10.  BUT smaller or micro businesses were far more pessimistic than their larger cousins.     Speaking to Joe about the findings of the survey was Neil Hughes the Chief Executive of Azets Ireland.

Joe Lynam takes a look at the international business stories this morning along with Kathleen Brooks Director of Research at XTB.

When was the last time you bought a bottle of sherry or perhaps even shoe polish or a corset?  Well next time you do so, that purchase will no longer be logged as part of the basket of goods which go to make up the key measure of Inflation known as CPI. Inflation was the key story of 2022 and 2023 but is dropping down the importance charts for many.  But it’s a vital component in our overall economy. Here to discuss that and other issues is Kate English a Director with Deloitte. 

According to Failte Ireland, 1 in 8 hotels or guesthouse beds designed for use by tourists are in fact being used by the State for refugees or asylum seekers.  Supply and demand rules suggest that the fewer the available hotel rooms the higher the price for those rooms remaining.  But Joan Scales travel and tourism expert says that a wide variety of hotel accommodation will come on stream this year and that occupancy levels might remain at around 80% Joan joined Joe on the show this morning.

A look at Friday's business markets and news with Aidan Donnelly from Davys.

A look at today's business stories with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

 Financial services is an increasingly important part of the Irish economy and within that are the legal services that support banks and insurance companies - as well as  consumers.  The Financial Services Bar Association represents lawyers in this area and today they gather to discuss things such as new consumer protections, money laundering rules and actions which can now be brought against big bosses.

Butterfly Skin and Blood Cancers are just some of the ailments that can be treated using cell to cell therapies. It is the work on one company in based in Spiddal Hitech Health and its Managing Director Brian Harrison joined Joe this morning on the show.

If you ever pass a large construction site and see big trucks trundling in and out of the gates, the chances are they are one of the truck brands imported by the Harris Group set up by the legendary Pino Harris more than half a century ago.  Pino passed away in 2017 but his business continues to thrive under his widow Denise Harris who joined Joe this morning the show.

The geopolitical world is a mess these days and yet you wouldn't know from buoyant stock markets around the world.  Interest rates are set to decline as inflation retreats and energy costs return to near normal despite an ongoing hot war in Ukraine. Meanwhile the world is digesting a much weaker Chinese economy and the prospect of the return of Donald Trump to the White House.  Lots to talk about then with Dan O'Brien from the IIEA. 

A look at today's business stories with Newstalk Breakfast with Joe Lynam.

 Love is in the air as valentines looms ahead, but it’s worth remembering  last year, 74 online romance scams were reported to gardaí, with a total of €1.9m taken. To discuss further Emmet spoke to Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime at the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland.

Over a quarter of Irish CEOs do not believe their businesses will be viable in a decade as tech and climate pressures accelerate that's according to PWC’s 2024 Irish CEO Survey. With more on this Emmet was joined on the show by  David McGee, their ESG leader.

A look at today's business stories with Emmet Oliver.

Construction has been in the doldrums over the past few months and remained so in January according to the latest BNP total activity construction Index.But the residential construction sector is holding up much better than the very weak building output in the office market. Speaking to Joe this morning was John McCartney is the Director of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate. 

The supermarket chain SuperValu first dipped its toe into the insurance business a few years ago. Now that toe is going deeper into the Insurance water with the launch of life Insurance products from this week.Garry O’Sullivan, Head of SuperValu Insurance told Joe more about the new life insurance products.

Today's international business stories with Russ Mould from AJ Bell.

Chanelle Pharma may be the biggest Irish drug manufacturer that you've never heard of.  They've been around since 1985 and they make generic pharma products which are no longer under patent protection.  And now they've been sold for a whopping €300m to a UK private equity group Exponent. Michael Burke is a former Vet and the founder and chief executive of Chanelle Pharma 

Scurri describes itself as ‘the Stripe of the delivery world’. The Wexford-based company helps major e-commerce providers, including eBay and An Post to tackle the labyrinth of courier companies such as FedEx and TNT. They also handle customs declarations, which in a post Brexit world may be useful for exporting companies. Speaking to Joe this morning was Rory O’Connor the Chief Executive of Scurri.