Breakfast Business

Even after a slew of big announcements of foreign companies investing in Ireland, yesterday’s commitment by Analog Devices to a new manufacturing facility and R&D centre worth €630m certainly stands out. Having been in Limerick for almost 50 years, it’s the kind of vote of confidence from a highly mobile technology firm that will be welcomed in the Mid West. Speaking to Joe this morning on the show Martin Cotter, President for EMEA at Analog Devices.

The BER or Building Energy Rating of a home has become almost as important for house hunters as the price and location of their new home. But a survey for Savills has found that homeowners are far more preoccupied with getting lower electricity bills than the environmental benefits of improving their house’s BER by retrofitting it Orla Coyle, Head of ESG with Savills Ireland discussed the findings of this survey.

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

Two-thirds of companies in Ireland are family run and thankfully they appear to have weathered lockdowns and last year’s energy price spike. 84% of family-run businesses said they grew last year compared to 71% globally according to a survey from PwC. But those family companies are in less of a rush to cut their carbon footprint, improve diversity as well as go fully digital. Speaking to Joe this morning was Mairead Harbron Partner with PwC family.

It’s 2 years since the cyber attack on the HSE which crippled the healthcare system in Ireland and embarrassed the sector and the government. Joining Joe in the studio this morning was Richard Staynings the Chief Security Strategist for Cylera and Lecturer in cybersecurity and healthcare management at the University of Denver advises national healthcare systems all around the world and is an expert on the Internet of Things in this space.

Despite an energy shock last night which drove up prices for companies and consumers, Ireland's economy seems to be firing on all cylinders - no more so than in the luxury and branded sector. The Kilkenny design stores have posted their annual results and sales are up 15% in the first quarter compared with the previous year. Speaking to Joe on the show this morning was Jenny Johnston, their Head of Marketing with Kilkenny Centre

On the surface, the Irish economy is doing very well. Foreign direct investment was up 17% last year while the rest of Europe was flat. Unemployment is down to 3.9% and wages are growing. But are we at an inflection point? Is climate risk already priced in? Is the enormous upheaval that could be caused by artificial intelligence accounted for? All issues for Harry Goddard - Chief executive of Deloitte IRL who joined Joe this morning on the show.

Aidan Donnelly brings us the latest from the money markets this morning with Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Ireland’s attractiveness for foreign direct investment was highlighted once again in a new Europe-wide survey from EY. It’s found that FDI was up 1% in Europe last year but rose by a staggering 21% in Ireland in that time. Furthermore, more than half of the projects being started by international companies were outside the capital which included technology, professional services and medical devices Feargal de Freine, Assurance Partner at EY Ireland spoke to Joe on the findings of this report.

Since the start of the war last year, Russia has faced sanctions and economic ostracization from Europe and North America never before seen by any nation. The EU has surprised many observers by mostly singing from the same hymn sheet in its clampdown on Russian companies, individuals, and resources. The EU created a special envoy to monitor those sanctions and it’s the Irishman David O’Sullivan.

At a recent event called Food For Thought, Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam discussed all things related to the restaurant and food truck business with the celebrity chef Paul Flynn. Food for thought, was in conjunction with Square, everything your business needs… Almost.

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

Just over a week ago Lidl announced that it was cutting the price of fresh milk. They were almost immediately followed by other big supermarkets and consumers were briefly the winners for once. But prices have not been retreating as fast as they went up last year when inflation soared to double digits. And today the big grocers will have to explain why not to the Retail Minister Neale Richmond. One group that does not want to see prices fall is farmers and Tim Cullinane is the President of the Irish Farmers Association who spoke to Joe this morning.

We all know that most airlines never pay the full list price for their airplanes but even at a substantial discount, Ryanair’s order for 150 new Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft could amount to a total bill for the Irish airline of at least $20bn. Joe caught up with the chief executive Eddie Wilson and began by asking him why he was buying so many planes.

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

Last Friday, we brought you the good news of a major €300 million investment from the American med-tech company Dexcom in East Galway. They make devices for people who suffer from diabetes that can constantly measure blood glucose levels and make life much easier for patients. Joe caught up with Adrian Furey - Head of Dexcom Ireland.

Ireland is predominantly a services economy that depends heavily on reliable and fast broadband. Getting fixed-line wired fibre takes time for companies and so increasingly they are looking to get speedy wireless internet to their workplaces. But is that enough? Speaking to Joe was David Russel Chief Executive with Elio Networks formerly known as Host Ireland - which provides wired and wireless services to businesses in Irish cities.

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

Some of the big pension providers have expressed concerns about how the state scheme is being structured and none are bigger than Irish Life and Oisín O’Shaughnessy is the Managing Director of Irish Life Corporate Business

We have one of the highest 3rd-level educated workforces in Europe but on-the-job training and retooling of our human resources is vital. Coincidentally this year is the European year of skills and some of our EU neighbours will be hoping to steal some ideas from our guest Paul Healy - the Chief Executive of Skillnet Ireland .