Irish Times Inside Business

This week: Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will be happy with the outcome of Tuesday’s Ecofin meeting, which saw his German counterpart suggest a two year delay on the introduction of a digital sales tax and the French propose a compromise, or to borrow a Brexit term, a backstop measure. Europe editor Patrick Smyth and Olivia Buckley of the Irish Tax Institute join Ciaran to discuss how the tax will work and why Ireland is so opposed to it.Plus: The 100% Club launched on the fringes of the European Climate Innovation Summit in Dublin this week, aimed at challenging firms to reveal annually the full extent of their greenhouse gas emissions. Kevin O’Sullivan has the details.But first: Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including Ryanair’s sacking of six members of staff over a viral photograph, good news for Ikea in Ireland and Sharon Donnery beaten by an Italian economist for a top ECB banking job. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This year's winners of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Ireland awards, Daniel Mackey and Peter Coppinger, are the founders and leaders of Teamwork.com, a Cork-based Saas (software as a service) company. They talk to Ciarán about their ambition to build a €450 million-revenue company, going where the talent is (which isn't Dublin), not needing funding despite spending their savings on their url, and their advice for wannabe entrepreneurs. Later we hear from Denis Staunton in London and Cliff Taylor explain the key elements of the UK budget which included a Digital Services Tax for tech giants, and how Brexit might force Philip Hammond to rip it all up and start over. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's guest: Former stockbroker Mick Dawson took over as Leinster Rugby CEO in 2001. Since then Mick has overseen the transformation of Leinster Rugby into one of the genuine powerhouses of the European game, claiming four Heineken Cups and numerous other successes along the way.In that time, support for both the province and the game in general has grown considerably with Leinster very much now a firm part of the Dublin and Irish sporting fabric.Plus: positive news for sport in Ireland in the 2019 budget, the IRFU's strategic plan, new stadiums rising and a new initiative to boost female participation in sport. The Irish Times Inside Business Podcast is a weekly programme dedicated to Irish business and economics, featuring award winning journalists, analysts and industry experts presented by Business Editor Ciarán Hancock, in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week’s show AIB chief executive Bernard Byrne is in the hot seat to answer questions on a wide variety of topics including housing and rip-off mortgage rates, Brexit, bankers’ salaries and bonuses, when Irish taxpayers will be fully repaid for the bailout and whether he gets any hate mail. Ciarán also asks why, a decade after the financial crisis, trust in the banks is still being eroded by scandals like the tracker mortgage controversy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paschal Donohoe’s Budget 2019 has a little something for everyone, but the goodies are spread widely across tax and welfare. The decision to restore VAT to 13.5 per cent for hotels, restaurants and hairdressers will be a hot topic, though perhaps not quite as hot as the lack of action on the carbon tax, in a week when climate change experts delivered their starkest ever predictions on global warming. The ‘squeezed middle’ will gain €250 a year, €1.25bn has been allocated for social housing, there’s a rainy day fund and a chunk of change has been set aside for Brexit proofing.Joining Ciarán Hancock to go through the main points of Budget 2019: Fiach Kelly, Cliff Taylor, Fiona Reddan and Liam Diamond, Tax Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.Produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

September tax returns give Paschal Donohoe little scope for surprise giveaways in Budget 2019, unless he raises taxes elsewhere. Will that see hoteliers lose their coveted 9 per cent VAT rate? Is it possible to Brexit-proof the economy? Ahead of the announcement next Tuesday, Chief economist at KBC Bank Austin Hughes and Irish Times business journalist Eoin Burke-Kennedy go through the numbers.Also: There was further turbulence at Ryanair this week after it issued a profit warning and lowered its earnings guidance. Barry O’Halloran has the story.Plus: Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the other stories making the headlines this week, including property developer Sean Dunne’s continued tale of woe after a High Court judge called him a “deeply dishonest” witness when extending his bankruptcy to just shy of the 15-year maximum. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is ten years since the decision was taken to guarantee six Irish banks, a decision that has been debated ever since. Public Affairs Editor Simon Carswell, then Finance Correspondent, takes us back to the day for a fresh look at what took place.Produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna talks to Ciarán Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe about another financially successful year for the GAA, how the organisation raises funds (including the controversial Sky deal) and what the future holds for Croke Park. But first Michael has his regular roundup of the major stories in the business of sport, including Nike's big gamble on Colin Kaepernick paying off, the strength of Ladies Gaelic Football and takeover moves in English rugby. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Under an information-sharing agreement with the Revenue Commissioners, Airbnb is to hand over data on thousands of hosts in Ireland who let out property via the website in 2017. It comes as regulations for greater enforcement in the short-term lettings market are set to be announced next week. But will the new regulations help ease the rental market crisis? Fiona Reddan explains.In an unprecedented move for an Iseq-listed company, Ryanair has banned news media from attending its AGM. But is it naïve for the airline to believe that the meeting won’t be reported on? Irish Times Business Editor Ciarán Hancock shares his thoughts on the decision.Plus: Aryzta, Jean Clude Junker & more with Peter Hamilton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With Brexit on the way, should we aim to spend less next year and run a surplus? Central Bank governor Philip Lane has issued a warning suggesting as much to Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe. Eoin Burke Kennedy and Cliff Taylor have analysis. How bad is this week's court ruling for INM and former chairman Leslie Buckley? Mark Paul explains.Plus: Brexit, Ryanair & more with Pater Hamilton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Everyone remembers the wanton destruction of Lidl in Fortunestown, Tallaght last March as the snows of Storm Emma enveloped the country. Now the store has been rebuilt, bigger, better and hopefully sturdier than ever. Ciaran Hancock gets a tour of the store and talks to Alan Barry, Lidl Ireland's Director of Property, about the German discount retailer's plan for growth and some other difficult issues facing the company in Ireland. Inside Business is produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New CSO figures reveal an uptick in new housing construction. Good news for those seeking a home? Sadly its not that simple. Eoin Burke Kennedy and Cliff Taylor discuss.Plus, we talk to economist Phyllis Papadavid of the Overseas Development Institute in Athens about the state of the Greek economy today as the state exits its third and final bailout programme. But first Eoin Burke Kennedy has some of the week's most interesting business news, including figures revealing our national penchant for wine.Produced in association with Irish Life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Turkey has been hit by a currency crisis in the past week that, coupled with a tense stand-off with Donald Trump, threatens to wreak havoc on the country. Are we in a new era of ‘strongman economics’? And what is the potential for contagion across the EU? Chief economist at Manulife and John Hancock Asset Management, Megan Greene, joins Cliff Taylor and Ciaran Hancock to discuss.Also on the podcast: Aryzta has announced that it intends to raise €800 million from investors. Joe Brennan has the background.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories making headlines this week, including Paddy Cosgrave’s U-turn on Marine Le Pen’s Web Summit invitation, FBD’s Fiona Muldoon cleared of wrongdoing and a €4 million face-lift for Café en Seine. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The relationship between former Independent News and Media chairman Leslie Buckley and his erstwhile employers has turned very sour indeed, as revealed by an exchange of letters between solicitors acting for Buckley and INM. Mark Paul talks us through the story on today's podcast. He also looks at the news that Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is considering axing the 9% VAT rate for hotels and guesthouses. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of this week's other stories including more eccentric behaviour from Elon Musk, what Donald Trump's warning means for any Irish companies doing business in Iran and Ryanair's worsening strike headache. And later we host a quick debate between Conor Pope and Michael McAleer on the subject of a proposed "distance driven" tax on motorists to replace the traditional motor tax. Is it fair/right/effective? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ciarán Hancock and regular co-host Michael O'Keeffe of Teneo PSG sat down last week with John Delaney, CEO of the Football Association of Ireland, to talk about his role and how the beautiful game is run in Ireland. Topics include the finances of the organisation, finding a sustainable model for the League of Ireland, his management style and salary and his future plans. But first Michael has the latest business of sport news. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After the release of a sobering report form the Central Bank on the way banks treat consumers, David Hall, well-known for his advocacy on behalf of banking customers in arrears, joins our own Cliff Taylor and Joe Brennan to talk frankly about banking 'culture'. Plus: Columnist Chris Johns on the looming spectre of no-deal Brexit. And Laura Slattery has a roundup of the week's biggest business stories including Ryanair, Google and Elon Musk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Like most League of Ireland clubs, Shamrock Rovers has experienced financial difficulties over the years. Two years ago Australia-based businessman Ray Wilson invested €1.5 million in the club and mapped out a strategy. But how has it worked out? Ray was in town last week for The Hoops European tie against Swedish league leaders AIK, and he sat down with Ciarán Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe to talk about the challenge of building up the club and the League of Ireland in general, and plans for a Shamrock Rovers academy near the club's stadium in Tallaght.But first it's a business of sport roundup with Michael O'Keeffe, including the sportswear boom, strong results for the IRFU and Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week: 100 Ryanair pilots will go on strike this Thursday (July 12th) for the first time in the airline’s history. But just how effective will the action prove? Only 30 of its 290 scheduled flights out of Dublin that day have been cancelled as a result of the strike, so has Ryanair won the PR battle this time? Barry O’Halloran has the latest.Later in the podcast, Owen Callan, financial analyst with Investec, joins Ciarán Hancock and Cliff Taylor to discuss comments by NTMA chief executive Conor O’Kelly this week, urging the State to sell bank shares as ‘dark clouds’ gather on horizon.But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including further woe for Irish Ferries and INM back at the High Court in their case with Office for the director of corporate enforcement. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week: Ryanair pilots have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a one-day strike on Thursday of next week. Thousands of holidaymakers face disruption after 99 per cent backed industrial action in a union ballot. Barry O’Halloran explains how it has come to this.And, as the unemployment rate falls to its lowest level since October 2007, hitting 5.1 per cent in June, economist Jim Power joins Ciaran Hancock, Cliff Taylor and Eoin Burke-Kennedy for a discussion on the current state of the Irish economy and what needs to be prioritised in October’s budget. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories including an internal investigation at FBD concerning chief executive Fiona Muldoon and an increase in used car imports. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Bill compelling employers to publish data on their gender pay gaps received Cabinet approval this week. Speaking on today's podcast, Marguerite Bolger SC, an expert in employment law, says it's welcome news but other measures are needed to increase the number of women in better paid roles. She joins Ciarán Hancock and Irish Times journalist Laura Slattery to discuss the pros and cons of the Bill and what impact it might have. Later in the show: As the deadline for this year's Irish Times Innovation Awards approaches, Ciarán talks to John Browne, CEO of last year's winner Kastus. The company produces anti-microbial technology, which has been making waves internationally since taking the top award for 2017. This year's deadline is Friday July 6th.But first, as always, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week's other stories, including IMF MD Christine Lagarde's visit to Dublin this week and why motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson has fallen foul of Donald Trump. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-