Breakfast Business

A look at today's business papers and markets with economist Austin Hughes.

We all know that Ireland is a knowledge-based economy and thx to that we’ve enjoyed very low unemployment and high wages.  But the downside of that is that our workforce will need constant upskilling or topping up of what we can do in our jobs and that is not cheap for companies or employees. The UCD Professional Academy has a study out and Siobhan McAleer the interim CEO of UCD Professional Academy brought us the findings.

 How loyal are you to your favourite brands and how much do you trust big companies when they say they're Green or caring for local communities? It appears that there may be a growing cynicism among consumers and not just in Ireland.  The global advertising giant Havas has conducted a worldwide survey and they found that     71% of people are tired of brands pretending they want to help society when they just want to make money.  There are plenty of other interesting and sometimes contradictory findings.  Speaking to Joe this morning Chris Upton is the boss of Havas Dublin. 

Joe Lynam takes a look at today's business papers and websites.

Last week we spoke to the Central Bank of Ireland about its new individual accountability Framework which will place far more personal responsibility on company directors for wrongdoing within their businesses.  The new rules stem from the fact that very few people went to jail after the financial crisis which drove the rest of the country to the brink of financial ruin.  To discuss these new rules, Joe was joined on the show by Patricia Callan the chief executive of Financial Services Ireland, and  David Naughton who is with the law firm LK Shields. 

A run-through of some of the business stories today with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

The boss of the biggest AI wizkid on the block was unceremoniously fired on Friday, then there were rumours that he had been rehired and then yesterday it was confirmed that he was definitely going to Microsoft. But that wasn’t the end of it as we will discover. It all shows how unsettled things are in the AI space as everyone jostles to establish themselves on this new frontier.   Joe spoke to Jeanne Kelly the founder of the legal consultancy Browne Jacobson.  

4 years ago a dollar could buy you 35 Argentine Pesos.  Now it’ll buy you 350.  Inflation in the South American nation is at 150% and GDP is shrinking rapidly.  That’s the economic backdrop and the possible reason why Argentina voted to elect a self-described anarcho-libertarian Javier Milei who wishes to burn down the central bank. Jon Farmer is Editor-in-chief, Latin America Weekly Report joined Joe on the show to discuss economics in the South American Nation,

A run-through of some of the business stories today with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam.

The more astute and observant among you may have noticed new bins in Dublin airport this week.  They’re smart bins that run on solar power and crush rubbish down to allow 10 times as much waste as other bins.  They also communicate with the airport authorities to let them know when or whether they need to be emptied.They’re from a Mayo-based company called PEL and they’re in demand all over Europe.  Tommy Griffith is the Chief executive of PEL  and Tommy told Joe all about the company.

With journalists being sued by elected Irish politicians, there is increasing pressure on the government to protect free speech from improper use of the already very expensive legal system. These are often referred to as SLAPPs or ‘strategic lawsuits against public participation’ and these often vexatious lawsuits can bankrupt newspapers or human rights groups just to defend an article or an opinion.  The EU is preparing a Directive to ban the practice, which Ireland would then have to implement, but it will come too late for some companies. Mark Tottenham presents the legal podcast The Fifth Court.

A run-through of some of the business stories today with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Irish shoppers to break records for online spending on Black Friday, that’s according to the AIB Spend Trend  Speaking to Johnathan this morning was John Brennan, AIB’s Head of SME Banking.

The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index presents a tale of two halves.While workplace patterns comfortably stabilise, it shows concerning trends relating to mental health and substance abuse Speaking to Jonathan to discuss the findings was Sinead Proos, Head of Wellbeing at Laya Healthcare.

A look at today's business papers and markets with Jonathan Healy and Aidan Donnelly from Davys.

Today the Central Bank of Ireland has published a feedback statement and issued regulations and guidance to firms on the Individual Accountability Framework, following a 3-month consultation process  Emmet spoke to Derville Rowland, Deputy Governor of Consumer and Investor Protection at the Central Bank. 

In line with expectation, Eir saw growth across their fibre broadband base, total mobile customers, including the eir postpay mobile base, with a further increase seen in the multi-play bundling of eir fixed household Joining Joe on the show this morning is the CEO of Eir, Oliver Loomes.

A run through of some of the business stories today with Emmet Oliver.

A range of measures is to be tackled under the updated Housing for All Update.  Including a rise in the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant & extended access to Local Authority Home Loan. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

All Things Considered: Are congestion charges in cities necessary? Shane and Ciara discuss.