Breakfast Business

Imagine being able to solve some of the most complex issues in hours rather than decades. Imagine being able to do the kind of calculations that can speed up the delivery of brand-new treatments and medication. Imagine being able to do all the calculations to send a man to the moon in seconds. They are just some of the opportunities that Quantum Computing offers and Equal1 wants to keep some of the innovation in this exciting new space in Ireland. They’ve just raised $60 million to create a piece of hardware called Bell-1/ Patrick McNally, is the Chief Commercial Officer with Equal1 joined Joe this morning.

Friday business news review with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam and Economist Austin Hughes.

We’ve had a trade war between the two biggest economies in the world. We’ve had major wars and the possible break up of the ‘West’ as we know and yet, the markets kept inching upwards. Breaking new records along the way.  Is there any logic to this or is there an illogical reason why many investors simply shrug no matter what happens? All to discuss with Bernard Walsh, the Head of Investments & Pensions at Fairstone Asset management and lecturer with the LIA.  

When you as a consumer buy a product or a service, do you know what happens to your personal details? Where are highly sensitive data such as your address, credit card details and perhaps even your medical history kept and how can you be sure it won't be leaked somewhere?  Joe discussed all with Susan Brady the Managing Director of Eir Business.

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

Donald Trump will doubtless dominate the media coverage when he speaks at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland later today.  His very presence is a distraction from all the other speakers in Davos including Michael Lohan the Chief Executive of the IDA who is there to bang the drum for foreign investment into Ireland.

Having a newborn is a joyous time but also an expensive one and one which is not great for the environment. We spend €100m on disposable nappies in Ireland every year and they often end up in landfill alongside wet wipes. Kate Doyle has created reusable nappies as well as a marketplace for other environmentally friendly products including period products.  Only this week she won the ‘Sustainability Champion Award’ at the Business of Craft fair. Kate Doyle the founder of EcoKinly explained all about her business to Joe this morning.

Wednesday business news review with Joe Lynam.

The backbone of Trump’s upending of the global trading system have of course been his tariffs. They have been arbitrarily applied to America’s allies and sometimes based on the personal whims of the President. But they could be deemed illegal as early as today by the US Supreme Court. If Trump can get around that ruling it will mean 3 more years of economic and political chaos. It’s one of the main topics at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week where Trump himself will doubtless lecture the free world on his idea of Trumpenomics.  Aidan Meagher is the co-head of the geopolitical strategy unit with EY and joined Joe Lynam on the show this morning to discuss.

Investment in Irish commercial property could reach €4 billion this year which would be a 60% jump on what was invested in 2025. Included in that is an estimated €1.5 billion investment in the private rental sector. They are among the views of the real estate company CBRE, which has published its assessment for 2026. Colin Richardson, director and head of research with CBRE, joined Joe Lynam on the show to discuss.

Wednesday's business news headlines with Joe Lynam.

St Patrick's Day has come a long way from shivering majorettes and the local accordion bands winding their way through the wet streets of our cities. Now it’s a 4-day festival, very much aimed at an international audience. In fact, more than a quarter of a million visitors come to these shores in mid-March, expressly to experience a St Patrick's Day parade. But with a weak dollar and all sorts of geopolitical stress, will this year’s festival match recent years?  Richard Tierney, Director of the St Patrick's Festival, joined Joe Lynam on the show to discuss.

So it looks like the highly controversial trade agreement hammered out in July between Trump and Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen may be toast. The European Parliament won't vote to approve it now that Trump has threatened additional tariffs on 8 European nations for not supporting his bid to annex Greenland. Expect the markets in Europe to be all over the shop this week in response. But maybe Europe might also finally stop its appeasement of Trump this week by triggering the Anti Coercion Instrument.Michael OSullivan, director of UNIO wealth managers and author of the book “The Levelling“ and who is giving a lecture later today in UCC about this very topic joined Joe Lynam on the show to discuss.

Monday's business news review with Joe Jynam and Russ Mould from AJ Bell.

It's Friday's business news review along with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam and Kate English Chief Economist with Deloitte.

Fitting out the modern office is not a cheap business.  Standards and regulations are much higher than even 10 years ago and include sound proofing, thermal dynamics, functionality and of course aesthetics.  But what about sustainability? Robert Trench is the co owner of Future Office  offers the most modern looking office decor but all of it has been reclaimed or repurposed from something else.

This week saw Diageo announce another 20 cent price rise for a pint of Guinness the 5th price rise in 3 years from the drinks giant.  In contrast the Changing Times brewery which is owned by some of the biggest publicans in Ireland including McSorley's and Doheny’s said there was no need for raising prices.Joe was joined on the show to discuss further by Pat Rigney the boss of Drumshanbo gin and one of the co-founder of the Changing Times brewery. 

Over the weekend the Trump administration launched criminal proceedings against the chair of the US Central Bank the Federal Reserve  It was a clear attack on Jerone Powell’s and the Fed’s independence because they have failed to cut interest rates at a pace desired by the President.  The wider central banking community including the ECB and the Bank of International settlements have come out in support.To discuss further Joe spoke to the Independent economist David Higgins.

Business news headlines review along with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Companies in the hospitality sector were the main winners in the budget last Oct.  Innovators were also winners but many SMEs weren't happy to have to pay higher minimum wages on top of holiday and sickness pay and now set aside money for workplace pensions.  Now the Small Firms association has launched a strategy which it says will help smaller companies survive, grow and thrive.  It’s a 3 year plan and includes a suggestion to create a new State run bank specially for SMEs.   To chat all about their plan was David Broderick, Director of the Small Firms Association.