Irish Times Inside Business

Colm Keena on the strange saga of the Quinn business family. The State's long battle to recover debts the Quinns owe to the IBRC, formerly Anglo Irish Bank, ended this week with a settlement reached with former billionaire Sean Quinn's adult children. But much of whatever money is eventually recovered will go to the lawyers. Was it worth the effort? Plus, Laura Slattery has the best business news of the week including Mark Zuckerberg's Dublin visit, good news for the music industry and a bank's attempt to stop proactive borrowers from gaming the mortgage system to the lender's loss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ESRI has warned that its projected growth rate for the Irish economy this year could be slashed by more than two-thirds if Britain crashes out of the EU, derailing the Government’s plan for tax cuts in the next budget. Lead author of that report, Dr Adele Bergin, joins Cliff Taylor and presenter Laura Slattery to discuss the gloomy analysis.Plus: The robots are coming, but for who? Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the details of a report by the UK’s Office for National Statistics, showing waiters and shelf stackers are the most likely to be replaced by robots.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories making the business news this week: PwC’s review of Datalex’s accounts, new EU copyright rules and Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct eyeing Debenhams. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ciara O'Brien on the launch of a video streaming service by Apple. Can the tech behemoth make a dent in Netflix and Amazon's existing services, and why should we sign up?Fiona Reddan on the enduring financial advantages of getting hitched, despite growing numbers of people feeling alienated from the custom. A potential solution: bring back civil partnerships, this time for people of all orientations. First up it's Peter Hamilton with a roundup of business news, including potential buyers of the iconic Dublin night spot Coppers, more fast food wars and a German financial merger making waves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The UK has revealed the tariffs it would impose on imports in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which will have serious implications for the Irish economy, particularly the food sector. If the UK crashes out of the EU on March 29th, is there any way businesses will be ready?Cliff Taylor talks to Allie Renison, Head of EU and Trade Policy at the UK’s Institute of Directors, and Cormac Healy, Senior Director of IBEC’s, Meat Industry Ireland.Later, Irish Times business affairs correspondent Mark Paul talks about his recent trip to Birmingham, where he spoke to local business owners about their views on Brexit. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories: the grounding the Boeing 737 Max 8; An Post's plans to enter the mortgage market; and the freezing of plans for an EU Digital Tax. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Earlier this week an investigation by The Irish Times revealed that hundreds of residents in boom-time apartment blocks are facing huge bills, the risk of eviction and the prospect of costly legal action to fix structural defects in their homes. It's a personal tragedy for apartment owners and a problem for our housing stock that is "verging on systemic", according to journalists Jack Horgan-Jones and Niamh Towey. They talk to Ciarán about the investigation. Plus, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of business news including Paddy Power / Betfair's new name, Ireland's new billionaire and Deliveroo's new plan for Irish growth. And Mark Paul on the strange timing of a new beverage launch in the Irish market by Diageo. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

BANKING: Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB both released their annual results this week. What have we learned about the health of Irish banks? And why is Bank of Ireland indicating future mortgage rate increases? Joe Brennan reports. HOUSING: Dublin City Council, short on space to provide desperately-needed land for housing development, is eyeing up some of Dublin's industrial estates. Can the plan work? We talk to DCC's Deputy Chief Executive Brendan Kenny. PLUS: Foldable phones, Dalata's profits and Eir's customer service. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Simon Carswell on what he heard at Oireachtas committee hearings into the botched prosecution of Anglo Irish Bank by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Cliff Taylor on the latest CSO data showing that in 2018 2.28 million people were employed in our economy, an all-time high. What does that mean for employers, employees and the economy?Plus, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of business news including ups and downs for Irish whiskey producers, the agri sector's Brexit battles and a major move by the world's biggest producer of coal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some call it the pensions time-bomb. In the private sector, under 40% of workers are covered by a pension. As our workforce ages, the problem of retirees lacking the funds they need will grow and grow. Most agree that the planned introduction of auto-enrolment, whereby workers automatically contribute to their own pension, is a good idea. But beyond that, there is much disagreement on how it should be implemented. Should it be mandatory or opt-out? Privately or publicly run? And should it replace or supplement the state pension? To debate this critically important topic, Ciarán Hancock was joined by Irish Life CEO David Harney, Dr Laura Bambrick of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Irish Times columnist Chris Johns. The podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the Irish Life Building. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's officially titled The Open Championship but whether you call it that, the British Open or simply The Open, it’s coming to these shores in July. For the first time in 68 years Royal Portrush will host golf’s oldest major. Over 200,000 golf fans are expected to descend on the County Antrim coast with the eyes of millions worldwide focussed on the Dunluce Links as the seaside resort becomes the centre of the golf universe for one week. It also means a boon for the local economy. But can the small resort handle such numbers, and what about the impact of Brexit on preparations? Ciarán and Michael O'Keeffe of Teneo PSG talk to Malcolm Booth, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Open, to discuss how things are shaping up ahead of the 148th edition of the event. But first Michael has a roundup of the latest news from the business of sport including GAA finances, Sport Ireland investment figures and some good news about Ireland's Six Nations match against England last weekend. See acast.com/privacy for privacy

If you've been in Dublin lately you might have noticed a tall new building dwarfing its neighbours on the south quays. Capital Dock, now the Republic's tallest building, is a residential development by Kennedy Wilson, who hope the wealthy executives who work nearby will choose to rent an apartment there. And you will need to be wealthy, because a standard two-bed will cost €3,300 per month. For that money you also get access to luxurious shared facilities and services. Inside Business went for a walk around the 22-storey residential tower in the company of Kennedy Wilson executives Ali Rohan and Peter Collins. What makes an apartment in this development worth its price? Who do they expect will want to live in Capital Dock? And how does the exclusive building fits into Dublin's dysfunctional residential property sector? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Siobhán Talbot, Glanbia chief executive and the Irish Times Business Person of the Year for 2018, talks to Ciarán about Brexit and the difficulty of planning for a ‘no deal’ scenario. They also talk about Glanbia’s transition from dairy to high tech proteins and weight management products, the importance of promoting diversity, and how surviving cancer has changed her outlook on life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's podcast: Cliff Taylor on the market reaction to the defeat of Theresa May's Brexit deal. What now? There is at least one sector for whom a hard Brexit may not be all bad: cars. Motoring Editor Michael McAleer explains why. Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the latest business news, includinga good week for Supermac's as it wins its David v Goliath court battle with McDonalds, a terrible week for software company Datalex, and news of yet more Dublin expansion for startup unicorn WeWork. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Apple and Samsung both reported revenue slumps for the last quarter of 2018. What's going on? Analyst at Davy Stockbrokers Aidan Donnelly explains.Plus: Ibec is predicting a major slowdown in growth this year as the Irish economy approaches full capacity and “cost competitiveness erodes”. CEO of the employer's group Danny McCoy joins Cliff Taylor to give his predictions for the economy in 2019 amid the threat of Brexit, Donald Trump’s tariffs and other drags on Ireland’s economic performance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Christmas Day is behind us, and so is a record year for Irish business. But as 2018 draws to a close the picture is beginning to look a lot more mixed. Today we assess some of the risks to the Irish economy in the year ahead, from Brexit to retail and the housing crisis. Joining Ciarán Hancock to look ahead to those challenges are Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Agency, Maurice Pratt, chairman of Uniphar among other things, and Cork-based property developer Michael O'Flynn. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As 2018 draws to a close, Ciarán talks to some of the Irish Times business team about the stories they’ve covered this year. Joe Brennan and Cliff Taylor take a look back at the banks, Brexit and Ireland’s continued economic recovery, just five years after exiting the EU-IMF bailout. Plus: Laura Slattery recalls a torrid year for Facebook and Mark Paul goes through the highlights of the ongoing drama at INM. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What could derail Ireland's economic recovery next year? Ciarán talks to Megan Greene, Global Chief Economist of Manulife/John Hancock Asset Management in New York, Equity Analyst at Investec, Owen Callan and Cliff Taylor, about the international variables that could influence Ireland's growth prospects in 2019: Brexit, the US-China trade war and global stock markets.But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the other stories in the news this week, including RTÉ salaries, Primark and Google's most searched for terms in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why are Republic of Ireland football managers paid so well? That’s just one of the questions Ciarán puts to FAI finance director Eamon Breen on this week’s podcast. He talks about where the association is investing its money in the sport, the debt it is currently carrying and he reveals how much money the businessman Denis O’Brien contributed to the FAI's finances over the years. Plus: Cliff Taylor explains why the corporate tax take was up last month and why a surprise budget surplus looks to be on the cards. He also has the latest on what’s been happening on the Brexit front.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories making headlines this week, including the sad tale of the collapse of the Orla Kiely brand, Ryanair’s new ultra-low cost Eastern European subsidiary and the boomtastic menu at chef Dylan McGrath’s new D4 venture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sports agents have never been as big a part of the sporting landscape in Ireland as in some other countries, but that is slowly changing. Today Ciaran Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe talk to two people working in the field in Ireland about their businesses and their unique perspective on the business of sport. Niall Woods is CEO of Rugby Agents Ireland and Sinead Galvin is founder of Galvin Sports ManagementBut first, Michael O'Keeffe has a roundup of all the month's biggest sports business stories including the free-to-air Rugby World Cup and Nike's move into the weird world of e-sports. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2018 Irish Times Innovation Awards took place last night and the overall winner is Aid:Tech. The company's platform enables entitlements like aid, welfare, remittances, donations and healthcare to be digitised and delivered through blockchain technology in a completely transparent manner. Ciarán caught up with Niall Dennehy, co-founder and COO, right after his big win last night. Plus, Fiona Reddan on the new benchmark for rents in the capital: €3,300 for a two-bed apartment in the Kennedy Wilson's Capital Dock building on Dublin's south quays. And the bigger picture: are build-to-rent providers driving up rents across the city?But first Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the lates business news including a terrible week for tech stocks amid broader market jitters, the rise and fall of auto guru Carlos Ghosn, and a warning over the need for foreign workers to drive housing supply - where will they live? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mediacon Summit co-founder Steve McCormack talks to Laura Slattery about the TV business and why the Irish television industry needs to look overseas for co-production opportunities.Later, Cliff Taylor explains the latest Brexit developments and what the possible outcomes could be.But first, Michael McAleer previews the upcoming Irish Times Innovation Awards and some of the novel business ideas set to be recognised during the ceremony. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.