Irish Times Inside Business

Predictions of a Covid-induced slowdown that was expected to wreak havoc on the economics of business travel are not, say the aviation industry, being borne out. Emirates country-manager for Ireland, Enda Corneille, talks to Ciarán about how the airline has weathered the pandemic, the company’s carbon credentials and Emirates’ plans for its Dublin-Dubai route.Plus: Cliff Taylor on the SSIA-style top-up from the State that is being proposed as part of a pensions auto-enrolment system currently being designed by the Government. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Irish motor insurers last year enjoyed their highest level of profitability since at least 2009, as the level of road accidents and claims declined during Covid-19 restrictions, according to a Central Bank of Ireland report.On today's podcast Ciarán Hancock talks to markets correspondent Joe Brennan about the health of Ireland's insurance industry. He also talks to Conor Faughnan, who in his former role as director of consumer affairs for AA Ireland became well known to a generation of Irish motorists. They discuss premiums, claims and profits in the industry that some say are excessive. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Simon Carswell talks to Ciarán about Seán FitzPatrick, the former banker who died this week. FitzPatrick oversaw the rise of Anglo Irish Bank, from a small Dublin lender into Ireland’s third largest bank, before the financial crisis and property crash brought down the bank.Plus: Eoin Burke-Kennedy on who the biggest polluters in aviation are and how they avoid the harshest penalties. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Charlie Taylor reports from Web Summit in Lisbon where conference founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave made some waves in his opening address, referencing the investigation of Tanaiste Leo Varadkar's leak of confidential documents in front of a global audience. But how did it go down with the assembled tech elite? And what else is happening at Web Summit? Plus, Eoin Burke-Kennedy on the latest strong exchequer figures and on US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to Dublin where she talked about moves to set a minimum global corporate tax rate, but didn't ruffle any feathers over Ireland's controversial role in international tax avoidance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, the Climate Change Advisory Council unveiled its recommendations for two, five-year carbon budgets aimed at reducing the State’s carbon emissions by 51 per cent by 2030. But are these targets feasible? Despite the Covid lockdown last year, carbon emissions fell by only 3.6% in Ireland, casting doubt on Ireland’s ability to meet the upcoming climate objectives. Joining Ciaran Hancock to discuss the enormity of the task ahead for business, industry and individuals is Cliff Taylor and Kevin O’Sullivan of the Irish Times. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Under the Government's recently published 'Housing For All' plan, the Land Development Agency has a big role to play in delivering badly-needed affordable housing in Ireland. Ciaran talks to the LDA's chief executive John Coleman about the details of how the agency plans to fulfil that ambition. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cliff Taylor, Mark Paul, Jennifer Bray and Kevin McLoughlin, head of tax at EY Ireland, join Ciaran to discuss the measures announced in Budget 2022. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last year, Maxol service station celebrated its 100th year in business, making it the oldest family run oil company in Ireland. As they prepare for their next 100 years in operation, the company have undertaken a major revamp of their forecourt network and convenience shops. In today’s episode, Ciaran Hancock takes a trip out to their flagship outlet in Bray to speak with Maxol’s Chief Executive Brian Donaldson and to Director and family shareholder Noel McMullan. They speak about the impact of the pandemic on fuel sales, the future of cars and travel and how their business model can align itself with climate change targets set by the government. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ciarán talks to The Irish Times London editor Denis Staunton about the extraordinary scenes at fuel stations across the UK this week, with supplies running out due, in part, to a shortage of lorry drivers. We also hear from London-based Irish business owner Ross Hynes about how the fuel crisis has impacted his operations. Plus: Joe Brennan on the renewed spotlight on the banking pay cap, as Bank of Ireland CFO Myles O'Grady quits for food a role at wholesaler and retailer Musgraves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As staff begin to return to the workplace this week, Ciarán hears about new research being carried out at the University of Limerick exploring attitudes to work, including the so-called “Great Resignation” sparked by the pandemic. Dr Sarah Kieran and the Work Futures Lab team at the Kemmy Business School are behind the research and aim to publish a full report in the coming months.Plus: With the pressure on to fall into line with the OECD, the language Irish politicians are using about the 12.5% corporate tax rate has shifted. Is the way being cleared for a change in Ireland’s corporation tax regime? Ciarán talks to Cliff Taylor and PwC’s Feargal O’Rourke. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Wednesday morning, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council issued its pre-budget submission, saying the Government’s plans, as outlined in the Summer Economic Statement, are at the limit of what is prudent. In this episode, Cliff Taylor is joined by Ifac’s chief economist Eddie Casey and Kevin McLoughlin, head of tax at EY Ireland, to discuss what’s likely to be included in next month’s budget package and the role tax might play in balancing the books. They also discuss OECD global tax reform and the impact it will have on this country. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Former Virgin Media Television head Pat Kiely talks to Laura Slattery about his new venture BiggerStage, a television production company that has partnered with US giant Fox to create a talent show format called The Big Deal. The Irish version of The Big Deal is airing now on Virgin. Pat talks about his ambition to put more Irish talent on-screen and develop "non-scripted" formats with global appeal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week the Government announced further reopening plans which include a phased return to the workplace from September 20th. Joining Ciaran to discuss the working options for employees and the challenges faced by employers is Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times, Emma Scott, People Partner at PwC Ireland and Mary Connaughton, Director of CIPD Ireland See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode Ciarán talks to Ciarán Medlar and Cian O'Sullivan from professional services firm BDO, about its sports advisory unit which helps elite sports people and entertainers with their tax planning. Medlar is BDO's Partner in charge of Taxation Services and also chairman of Shamrock Rovers football club. O'Sullivan meanwhile is Director in the Private Client Tax team at BDO, but is probably better known for his GAA career as an All Ireland winning Dublin footballer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's one of the last industries to remain almost totally shuttered by the pandemic. But those working in live music are still waiting to see a plan for the reopening of the sector, even as thousands attend concerts taking place in Northern Ireland and further afield. Promoters here are begging Minister for Culture Catherine Martin to announce a roadmap for live music to return. Shane Dunne, a concert promoter and festival organiser, returns to the podcast to tell Ciaran about the plight of the live music industry and how there may not be much of an infrastructure for live events left when we need it.The latest trade figures from the Central Statistics Office highlight the disruption brought about by Brexit at the beginning of the year.Imports from Britain fell by 32 per cent or €2.5 billion in the first six months of this year, according to the data published on Monday.Meanwhile, the level of imports from Northern Ireland rose by €776 million, indicating that Irish buyers and British suppliers are increasingl

Why are rents rising by double-digit figures in rural Ireland? That figure, revealed in a daft.ie report released this week, reflects an “unprecedented scarcity” of homes to rent across the country, according to the report's authors. But is there more to it than a lack of supply?With rents in Dublin often reaching €2000 per month, is affordable rent likely to come even with increased supply? And why are landlords exiting the rental market? Ciaran talks to Marian Finnegan, Chief Economist and Director of Research with Sherry Fitzgerald, and reporter Eoin Burke-Kennedy about all things housing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fiona Dawson joined the Mars Graduate Scheme in 1988 straight from Trinity College in Dublin. Since then, she has worked her way through various management and leadership positions before taking on her final role as Global President of Mars Food, Multisales and Global Customers. This month, after more than three decades with the company, Dawson has taken early retirement at just 55 years of age and is looking forward to the next chapter. In this episode, Dawson speaks to Ciaran Hancock about her career progression within Mars, what makes a good leader and how she dealt with the challenges and crises that came along the way. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a post-pandemic world and with climate on the agenda, will Dublin Airport ever again reach the heights of the 33 million passengers that passed through it back in 2019? Dublin Airport Authority CEO Dalton Philips returns to the podcast to tell Ciaran how the industry is faring as passenger volumes begin to increase after a disruptive 18 months. Dalton says he is confident in the recovery of passenger numbers, but warns of the impact of changing travel patterns and calls for ministers and state agencies to push for the return of global airlines to Ireland.Produced in association with EY. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, restrictions on non-essential international travel have eased, bringing new hope to the aviation and tourism industries. Those who are fully vaccinated, have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months, or who present a negative Covid-19 test can now travel more freely within the European Union, as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ciaran Hancock is joined by Irish Times reporter Barry O’Halloran and CEO of ITIC Eoghan O’Mara Walsh to discuss what this means for the hospitality and travel sectors, how the digital Covid certificate scheme will work and the future of transatlantic connectivity. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today the European Union revealed the details of its “Fit for 55”, a package of toughened climate laws designed to help hit the target of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030. But what does it contain, does it go far enough to hit the target, and what will it mean for business and consumers? Environment editor Kevin O Sullivan and Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary report. A Central Bank paper on long-term debt has revealed that over-60s make up a quarter of all those in mortgage arrears. This vulnerable group, often with limited ability to escape debt due to their age, should be offered new ways to manage their debt, says the bank. Markets correspondent Joe Brennan explains what the Central Bank has said, and Rachel McGovern, Director of Financial Service for Mortgage Brokers Ireland, says our approach to those in arrears has stored up problems and needs a rethink. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.