Breakfast Business

Equinix is committing USD $700M to Dundalk company Hanley Energy in a deal that will create an initial 200 new jobs in Dundalk. The deal will see Hanley Energy build a manufacturing facility to be used exclusively to build specialised power equipment for Equinix’s data centres worldwide. All to discuss with Peter Lantry MD Equinix Ireland.

Future Work World is the new book from Barry Winkless, Cpl's Executive Strategy Advisor and Head of Future of Work Institute. In it, he discusses the new kinds of workers and workplaces, from AI to creating a “hero journey” for staff.  Barry joined Susan Hayes Culleton this morning on the show. 

Donald Trump may not like them but wind turbines are here to stay and a growing part of the electricity generation mix. Now the Irish company European Green Transition has bought a group of companies in the maintenance and operation of turbines in Britain and Ireland for £3.5m.  It’s the first big purchase since EGT was floated on the alternative AIM exchange in London in 2024.Joining Joe this morning was Cathal Friel is the chair of European Green Transition PLC. 

Joe takes a look at Friday's business news along with Austin Hughes from AJ Bell.

Almost 90% of pallets used in the construction sector end up in landfill. The company CJ Sheeran uses the ‘Pallet Loop’ system to reuse them and prevent an estimated 1 million pallets being thrown in skips. Lisa Dooley from CJ Sheeran is our Green Businessperson of the Month in association with Repak. 

Thursday's business news review with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Whether it is electronic golf or shuttle boards or modern darts, there is plenty to do for adults at the venue of my next guest. Super Social is celebrating its first anniversary and is talking about expanding to cater for the growing office party and couples’ night out segment of the entertainment market. But what else can it tell us about our spending patterns? All to discuss with Dan Begley is the cofounder of Super Social and who used to own Jumpzone. 

Safefood is the all island body charged with promoting and monitoring the quality of food and nutrition on both sides of the wide open border.  It does not have the powers of a regulator  but its role of sharing important and timely information in the event of a food scare is important. Another reason is to promote healthier eating and nutrition and Joanne Uí Chrualaoich is the chief executive of Safefood will be speaking today at IFEX: Northern Ireland's food, drink and hospitality trade event. 

Wednesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

If you are lucky enough to have a river flowing through or adjacent to your property and you wish to do your bit with renewable energy, you could consider a company call. they harness the power of streams and small rivers and turn them into electricity without affecting the local fish life. They aren’t selling directly to customers yet but they could provide as much energy as an average cluster of solar panels. Joe spoke to Roisin McCormack, COO with GKinetic. 

The Barry Group is one of the largest independent wholesalers and retailers in Ireland and now it’s getting together with Love Irish Food to promote the sale of locally made produce nationwide.  It comes amid rising grocery costs and increased competition from imports so it won't be that easy. All to discuss with Jim Barry the Managing Director of the Barry Group. 

It’s an awful anniversary to have to mark but it’s 4 years since the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Amazingly the Ukrainian economy has stabilised and continues to function as it had to switch to a war economy producing new cutting-edge drone technology.  Joining Joe to discuss this is the Russia expert Jason Corcoran whose new book ‘Leaving Russia’ is published in April.  Also Communications expert Cormac Smith who has worked for the British and Ukrainian governments and knows the latter very well. 

Tuesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

EBay, Adverts and Vinted are cashing in on the surge in private selling and and now the delivery giant DPD is launching a network of parcel delivery and collection lockers called Pickups all over the island. The company even aims to have 1500 of these locker groups by 2028.  They’ll be going up against the likes of OohPod or An Post.  But is the demand there? All to discuss with Colin Kennedy,  Managing Director of DPD Pickup. 

Change is definitely afoot in the investment climate here in Ireland. Up to this governments of all stripes almost discouraged households investing their own money in the capital markets with really high capital gains tax and other charges. But will slashing CGT achieve the desired result and will Irish people break a habit of a lifetime when it comes to investing their risking their savings?  Pat Lardner, chief executive of Irish funds which represents many of the companies that would like to use some of that Capital 

Russ Mould from AJ Bell joined Joe to look through all the business news headlines.

There’s no doubt that change is afoot in the world of auditing and consulting.  Some of the big players are splitting those 2 parts of the business and others and merging.  That includes BDO - formerly known here as BDO Simpson Xavier, its Irish business is merging with its UK business.  The newly merged entity is part of a network of BDO shops operating in 169 nations worldwide.  But will it make the Irish business that little bit less Irish?  All to discuss with Brian McEnery, Managing Partner at BDO Ireland.

Joe Lynam takes a run through Friday's business news headlines along with Aidan Donnelly from Davys.

The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland includes all those creative agencies which devise many of the campaigns you see or hear on tv, radio or online.   The industry spent €1.6bn in 2024 and my next guest says it should be a lot more.  But does that mean a lot more ads and will much of that money flow in the coffers of the giant tech platforms?  IAPI also includes PR professionals and there has been plenty of consolidation in that sector too. Joining Joe in studio was Siobhán Masterson, CEO of IAPI. 

In 6 months from now, the EU’s new E-Evidence regulation comes into force which could have a profound impact on Irish service providers.  It requires companies to hand over emails, messages, and other digital data if requested by police and judicial authorities from anywhere in the EU.  The new rules exclude banks from handing over private financial data but it could mean that many firms will have to be very careful how they store data in future.  It will be especially onerous in Ireland because so many of the servers on which this important data is stored in this country. All to discuss with Jake O’Sullivan, a partner with Deloitte Advisory .