Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

On this week’s episode of Inside Business, host Ciarán Hancock speaks with Bank of Ireland chief economist Conall MacCoille about their latest economic bulletin. It shows that almost 40 per cent of Irish housing transactions are now settled at a minimum 10 per cent premium above the original asking price, something Bank of Ireland puts down to “the intense competition for homes”. Conall Mac Coille is author of the bulletin, and while he points to lack of supply and wage growth as factors driving house price inflation, he notes that we might be experiencing a peak at the moment. He also gives his thoughts ahead of next week’s budget and whether Ireland is insulated from the economic woes affecting Britain, Germany and the wider EU bloc.Also on this episode, we hear from HR expert Louisa Meehan about return to the office trends in the wake of Amazon’s recent decision to order staff back to the workplace five days a week.Is that likely to become a trend here? And is working from home potentially detrimental for younger employees at the outset of their careers?Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. 

In his piece for the Irish Times earlier this week, CEO of Ibec Danny McCoy wrote about the ‘generational opportunity’ the next government will have to transform the country. Speaking with host Ciarán Hancock on this week’s episode of Inside Business, he explained how the key areas of infrastructure, education and energy strategy are central to maintaining a competitive economy here.And in terms of the funding needed to address those three areas, McCoy warned against a long-term reliance on the current corporate tax bonanza, he instead suggested more taxation on the individual, a move he knows would be politically unpopular. And what about the €13 billion of Apple tax? Ibec’s chief suggested that Ireland could take the noble step of giving it to poorer countries who really need it.Also on this episode, Irish Times Soccer Correspondent Gavin Cummiskey on the continuing financial struggles of the Football Association of Ireland as it finds itself still tens of millions in debt. Where does it leave League of Ireland clubs and emerging talent in a week where Dundalk FC had a near-death experience?Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

On this week’s episode of Inside Business we’re looking at the Apple tax judgement from the European Court of Justice with Joe Brennan. It was decided on Tuesday that the tech giant had enjoyed illegal State aid and the ECJ determined that Ireland should collect some €13 billion in back tax.Joe Brennan has covered this saga over the past decade and joined host Ciarán Hancock on the line to discuss the story. What is the background to the case? How is the money likely to be spent? Will this impact foreign direct investment here?Also on this week’s episode, we hear from Claire Nash who opened Nash 19 restaurant in 1992, going on a rollercoaster ride along with the ups and downs of the Irish economy. In January she pulled down the shutters after a succession of blows dealt by the pandemic, soaring inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. She discusses her reasons for closing, explains why a cup of coffee should really be costing €8 or €9 a pop, and offers her take on how the hospitality sector might be rescued via Government initiatives.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

Reports last week highlighted the challenges in the commercial property market, particularly in the offices sector, with some prized assets receiving offers well below the sale prices attached by agents, with banks moving on some borrowers who find they are in breach of their covenants.John McCartney is head of research at BNP Paribas Real Estate and follows the market closely. He joined host Ciarán Hancock in studio to discuss the latest moves in the commercial property market. He began by giving some context to what’s happening in the market in terms of valuations and how private equity firms and the banks are currently viewing their exposures.In part two of this week’s episode of Inside Business we hear how a new survey from recruiter IrishJobs noted how AI is increasingly being used in hiring processes. This is happening on both sides of the equation, with candidates using it for their CVs and covering letters and by employers to sift through applications.Ian Curran of The Irish Times reported on the survey and joined us on the line.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

Inheritance tax has become something of a hot political issue, with hints of change coming in the budget supported by senior Fine Gael members who want to allow people to inherit more without being exposed to tax.But is this justified? Does it simply improve the lot of the better off in society?Or are there real anomalies that need to be addressed?For some insight on this, host Cliff Taylor was joined by Deputy Business Editor of the Irish Times, Dominic Coyle.In the second half of the show, Munro O’Dwyer, a partner with PwC Ireland, discusses potential changes to the current pension regime for high earners. PwC published a document earlier this week that points out some issues with the current €2 million standard fund threshold for pensions, something they want to see changed in the budget. Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

If you’re trying to buy a home, a report this week from estate agent Sherry FitzGerald on house prices and available stock won’t have lifted your mood. The supply of second-hand properties for sale in Ireland has fallen by almost a third since the pandemic, according to Sherry Fitz figures.And it found that annual house price inflation was running at 5.5 per cent for the 12 months to the end of June, up from 3.4 per cent at the same time last year.Figures from the CSO last week told a similar story.On this episode of Inside Business, host Ciarán Hancock picks through the latest data points with Marian Finnegan, managing director of Sherry Fitzgerald, and Eoin Burke Kennedy, economics correspondent with The Irish Times.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

The high price of electric cars has long been seen as a barrier for those looking to switch from the traditional combustion-engine car to an EV, but that is now changing with many car makers slashing their prices. But what is driving prices down and what impact will it have on the second-hand EV market here? Irish Times writer specialising in motoring Neil Briscoe explains.And what of the broader picture for EV usage here, how do we compare to other countries and is charging infrastructure keeping pace? Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation & Head of Department at Trinity College Dublin gives his thoughts.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. This episode was originally published in February 2024.

The Covid-19 pandemic that hit in March 2020 hammered the Irish hospitality and retail sectors.One company that was directly in the firing line was Moriarty’s a family run craft shop and restaurant in the Gap of Dunloe in Kerry that was largely dependent on American visitors for its business.The company survived this near-death experience by becoming one of the first SMEs in Ireland to use a new small company rescue process called Scarp, introduced by the Government at the end of 2021.Having wiped out substantial debts, Moriarty’s is once again thriving, and looking to expand its business beyond the Gap of Dunloe.Denis Pio Moriarty is a son of the founders and runs the business with other family members. He joined host Ciarán Hancock in studio to tell his company’s story of surviving the pandemic.He began by recalling Moriarty’s early days, from its opening in 1964 and its growth story up to when the pandemic hit in early 2020.Produced by John Casey.

On this episode of Inside Business we look at the €725 million funding plan the Government has agreed to provide to RTÉ over the next three years. Laura Slattery of The Irish Times sat down with RTÉ chief Kevin Bakhurst last week and not surprisingly he was “really pleased” with the settlement. Laura joined host Ciarán Hancock in studio to explain how the settlement provides RTÉ with financial stability over the next three years.Also on the podcast this week, Revolut recently announced its intention to offer mortgages in the Irish market. But there has also been a growing number of complaints about the digital bank from customers who have had their accounts scammed and have run into a brick wall with Revolut in terms of getting the issue resolved. Brendan Burgess is a consumer advocate and runs the website Askaboutmoney.com, we began by asking him for his view on whether Revolut offering home loans would shake up an Irish mortgage market dominated by AIB and Bank of Ireland.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.