Irish Times Inside Business

In today’s episode, Ciaran Hancock is joined by Pat McCann, Chief Executive of Dalata Hotel Group. McCann last spoke to us on the podcast back in April, as the hotel industry came to terms with the lockdown. So how have things progressed in the seven months since, as restrictions continue and an uncertain year of trading lies ahead. With an average occupancy of just 25% across the group, they discuss the impact of the current level 5 restrictions, how the group is dealing with cases of Covid and what impact a Trump or Biden win will have on the tourism industry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Irish consumer sentiment has fallen again amid concerns of how the latest Covid-19 restrictions will impact income and employment prospects over the next 12 months. How will this play out in the run up to Christmas and how are advertisers responding to the fragile mood? Austin Hughes, chief economist of KBC Bank and Charley Stoney, CEO of the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI) join Laura Slattery to discuss. Also on today’s episode, Proinsias O’Mahony of The Irish Times, takes a look at how the US election may impact the stock market. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From midnight tonight the entire country will move to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, resulting in the closure of many businesses, including all non-essential retail. In today’s episode, Cliff Taylor speaks to Arnold Dillon, Director of Retail Ireland about the impact on trading in the run up to Christmas and how the sector will survive further lockdowns. We also hear from Michael Cronin, the owner of Cronin’s menswear in Cork city centre, who will be closing his shutters this evening until the 1st of December. But first, economist and Irish Times columnist Chris Johns joins Cliff to discuss the impact of the restrictions on the wider economy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Budget 2021 is here. A budget like no other, drawn up on the assumptions of a no-deal Brexit and another year without a Covid-19 vaccine. It was delivered today by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath. The package, worth a staggering €17.75 billion euro, is the biggest in the history of the state. In this episode, Irish Times political reporter Jennifer Bray outlines the key points of today’s budget, while Cliff Taylor and Liam Diamond, Tax Partner at PwC Ireland, join Ciaran to discuss the green measures contained within and how this level of spending will affect the state in years to come. Finally, Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC and Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland take a look at what Budget 2021 has delivered for the tourism and hospitality industries. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Even before the impact of Covid-19, low interest rates and uncertain markets were making it difficult for investors to find a good place to put their cash. So what impact has months of Covid-19 had on the markets, and what are the best options now for those looking to invest or close to retirement? Ciarán talks to Donough Kilmurray, chief investment officer with Davy. But first he talks to entrepreneur Greg Gormley, owner of Little Ass burrito restaurant in Rathmines, Dublin. Greg's plans to expand were interrupted by the pandemic but now he's about to open a second premises in Temple Bar. He shares his insights on running a restaurant in unusual circumstances. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week it’s the business of sport with Ciaran Hancock and Mick O’Keefe of Teneo. Together, they speak with Mick Dawson, CEO of Leinster Rugby and Peter Twiss, Secretary of the Kerry County Board to gain an insight into how Covid-19 has impacted their respective organisations both on and off the pitch. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"Some people called it brave. A lot of people called it stupid too!" That's what coffee shop owner Ger O'Donohoe tells Ciaran on this week's podcast about his decision to open a second business in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ciaran also talks to entrepreneur Connor Keppel, who is launching a tech startup. Why did they decide to talk the plunge in these uncertain times, and how is it going for them? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dublin city centre faces a unique threat to its business ecosystem. Retail and hospitality are suffering, tourists are absent, office workers are absent, and new lockdown measures look increasingly likely. To add insult to injury, its wet pubs face yet another delay before being allowed to reopen. Ciaran talks to Mark Paul, business affairs correspondent with The Irish Times, and to Ronan Lynch, proprietor of The Swan pub on Aungier Street and chairman of the Licensed Vintner's Association, about the challenges facing Dublin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland is officially in recession. Recent figures from the CSO, show the economy contracted by 6.1% between April and June, the sharpest decline ever recorded. In today’s episode, Laura Slattery speaks to Irish Times business journalist Eoin Burke-Kennedy about the path the economy might take from here, how we compare to our European counterparts and what challenges lie ahead for Finance Minister Paschal O’Donohoe. Later on, Irish Times technology journalist Ciara O’Brien joins Laura to discuss Google’s recent decision to cancel a major office deal in the capital. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

First up in today’s episode, Cliff Taylor is joined by Dee Ryan, Chief Executive of Limerick Chamber of Commerce and Irish Times reporter Barry O’Halloran to discuss another bleak week in Irish aviation. With reports that Aer Lingus is to move two aircraft from Shannon to the UK, what will this mean for regional connectivity and the industry as a whole? Later on, we’ll hear from Sebastian Barnes, Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, who takes a look back at the economic impact of Covid-19 and what we should be expecting in the weeks and months to come. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One of the many ways that Covid-19 has impacted daily life, is the complete overhaul of the office working environment. Since March, many Irish people have adapted their professional lives to working from home, while others have returned to the office on a staggered basis . In today's episode, we examine what the future holds for the traditional office. Is remote working the way of the future and what will happen to the empty office blocks in our towns and cities? Joining Ciaran to discuss this and more is CEO and Co-founder of Teamwork, Peter Coppinger and Roland O'Connell from Savills, one of Ireland’s leading commercial real estate agents. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Over the past few months we've spoken to many businesspeople in different sectors about their struggles to adapt and survive in the Covid-19 economy. Today we revisit some of them a few months after we first heard from them, to see how things are going. They are: restauranteur JP McMahon, hotelier Des O'Dowd and travel agent Mary McKenna. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim was set up in 2014. In just under six years, the young business has proved a success at home and in international markets, with it’s famous Gunpowder Irish Gin rated amongst the top five premium gins in the US. The distillery is also due to expand with the construction of a €3 million visitor centre in the small town of Drumshanbo. In today’s episode, managing director and founder Pat Rigney speaks to Ciaran Hancock about how the industry is powering through the pandemic and the future of the new visitor centre. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Certain parts of the economy remain almost completely shuttered, either as a result of restrictions or changed consumer behaviour. Can these stricken sectors survive?Cliff Taylor talks to two entrepreneurs, in events and tourism, who say the government must do more or their small businesses will go to the wall.And Eoin Burke Kennedy analyses the news that the reopening of "wet pubs" has been delayed again until August 31st - and probably beyond. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 heard from representatives of Ryanair, Aer Lingus, the DAA and Shannon Group on how Irish aviation has been affected by the pandemic. Irish Times journalist, Barry O’Halloran has the latest. Also, Ann Chapman from Stonechat Jewellers speaks to Ciaran Hancock about expanding her premises in Dublin city centre in March, only to close down the shutters the very same week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week EU leaders agreed a 750 billion euro recovery fund to help member states deal with the economic damage caused by the pandemic. So who were the winners and losers of this deal and what's in it for Ireland? Naomi O'Leary and Cliff Taylor join Ciarán Hancock to discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"No-one expected as unequivocal a ruling as this": Ireland has prevailed in its case against the EU Commission, who claimed that billions in corporation tax were owed by Apple to the Irish exchequer due to its operations here. Europe's second highest court decided that none of the money was taxable here. But why was the case taken in the first place, and what will the EU's next move be in its attempts to shut down tax avoidance? Joe Brennan and Cliff Taylor explain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a report published yesterday the EU downgraded its forecast for the European economy as the impact of Covid-19 beds in. Meanwhile, the government is preparing its July stimulus package. Where should it find and direct its funds? To talk about the economic outlook, Ciaran is joined by Chris Johns and Eoin Burke Kennedy of The Irish Times. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Reports this week that AIB will not give mortgages to those in receipt of government-subsidised wages showed the potential impact of Covid-19 on the property market. So how is this closely-watched sector being affected, months into the crisis? John McCartney, director of research at Savills, and Irish Times reporter Jack Horgan-Jones talk to Ciaran Hancock. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As we approach the next phase on the roadmap out of lockdown, many businesses across Ireland are preparing to reopen after three months of closure. In this episode, Ciaran Hancock speaks to Teeling Whiskey co-founder Jack Teeling about the challenges that lie ahead for the Dublin based distillery. Also joining the discussion is Adrian Cummins from the Restaurants Association of Ireland, who is calling for a 1.8 billion euro government bailout of the sector.Plus, Brian Keating from Richie’s Bike Store in Swords gives an insight into how their bicycle business has been operating since reopening in May. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.