Breakfast Business

There are increasing fears that there might be a major correction underway within Ireland’s office property sector. The consultants HWBC reckon that only 678,000 sq feet of office space was let out in the first half of this year whereas normally that figure would be roughly 1m sq ft.So what happens now to rent prices? Speaking to Joe this morning Iain Sayer is the Managing Director of HWBC.

The Digital Markets Act is major EU legislation that hopes to prevent monopolistic behaviour by giant technology companies. This week the first stage of the DMA came into force this week with the naming of the so-called Gatekeepers.  These are the extremely large technology companies that the Commission says will have to police the Act.  They include the usual suspects of Apple, Meta, Alphabet, and the TikTok owner Bytedance. But will they change their behaviour to meet the new rules? To give some insight Joe spoke to Jeanne Kelly from Browne Jacobson. 

A look at today's business papers and websites with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

The Personal Injury Assessment Board or PIAB has been with us for a few years and its aim is to cut the legal costs for personal injuries or so-called ‘slips and trips’ as well as slashing the exorbitant public liability insurance costs which Irish companies have to pay due to enormous payouts in the courts. The next phase of the Personal Injury Resolution Board Act comes into force this week and the minister in charge of that is Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation. 

Have you ever shopped online, popped something in the basket but then changed your mind or were distracted and didn't complete the sale?  Xtremepush specialises in ensuring that those customers get a suitable nudge to complete their purchases and also build brand loyalty. They're an Irish CRM company called Xtremepush and they're rapidly expanding their business in the US and UK Tommy Kearns the Chief Executive of Xtremepush joined Joe this morning.

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

Unemployment remains near record lows in Ireland and employers are screaming out for staff in all walks of life.  That means that staff hold many of the cards when it comes to pay talks and requesting a rise in their salary. That’s pushing up and keeping up inflation rates and a study from PWC says companies need to do more to retain staff because 1 in 5 are actively looking for new posts.  For more on this Joe spoke to Laoise Mullane is the Director of People for PwC. 

If you marvelled at some of the clothing and apparel you saw Lady Gaga wearing in the House of Gucci movie, then you would have been marvelling at the work of the Irish glove designer Paula Rowan which Lady Gaga wore. Now Paula is about to see her gloves on sale in the luxury Manhattan store: Bergdorf Goodman and other key online luxury retailers.  Paula Rowan joined Joe this morning on the show.

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

Workplace pensions start next year which should help thousands to save for their retirement. But research from the consumer watchdog the ccpc has found that 1 in 4 people can’t afford to save money for their pensions. And 1 in 10 people over 45 aren’t saving for retirement at all.  Grainne Griffin from the competition and consumer protection commission

4 years ago the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act came into force.  It meant that no Irish state entities could invest in companies involved in drilling for oil, coal, or gas.  But a new report for the charity Action Aid says that investment continues and that Ireland is being used as a conduit to pump money into fossil fuel schemes in poorer nations. Speaking to Joe this morning was Karol Balfe, ActionAid Ireland Chief executive  

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

Astonishingly, less than half of retailers in Ireland, have a shopping cart or buy online facility on their websites. Also only a fifth of retailers use ad tracking to follow whether the customers are responding to advertising or not. That’s all in the latest web health report from the domain people Dot.ie and retail excellence.  Oonagh McCutcheon, Chief Communications Officer at.IE joined Joe on the show this morning to discuss the findings of this report.

Do you remember when you used to argue with your mates about who won the 1976 All-Ireland final or who was at Number one in the week you were born? No one does that any more thanks to a company which was founded 25 years ago.  With her thoughts on the progeny of Google, we spoke to Newstalk Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly

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

The BPTM this month knows how to marry sustainability with teaching and running a business.  She took over the large suburban farm Airfield in Dundrum co Dublin this year, which had been run by 2 sisters for generations into a way to enjoy a meal that was mostly grown on that farm.  It also demonstrates how real food is made and how to make a profit along the way too.  She’s Claire McEvilly from Airfield Estates in Dundrum and she’s our BPTM for August.All with thanks to Eversheds Sutherland. 

Catherine Day, used to run the EU civil service as its Secretary General of the European Commission between 2005 and 2015.  She oversaw the accession of a dozen former communist nations into the bloc and managed the eurozone crises. She’s now set to become the 2nd recipient of The Padraig Ó hUigin Award For Financial Services for her contributions to Ireland’s financial industry. Catherine spoke to Joe this morning on the show. 

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

IBEC has made calls for more government spending on infrastructure and social investment to keep up with Cork’s growing population. Speaking to Emmet this morning was Fergal O'Brien, Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence in IBEC. 

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