Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

Interview: Ex-Dalata boss Pat McCann on his busy retirement

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dalata Hotel Group founder and former chief executive Pat McCann retired last year, after more than half a century in the hotel business. Last week Mr...

Interpath Advisory / Golden Discs new POP! store

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Interpath Advisory, the UK-based corporate restructuring and insolvency firm, is planning to build up a practice in Ireland with 120 staff within the ...

Do rent controls work? / Sandyford KGB spy links

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Davitt of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers talks to Ciarán Hancock about the impact of rent controls on the Irish market.And...

Economic outlook: some positives, many warnings / How Frankie Sheahan lures big names to the Pendulum Summit

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The economy is being affected by several strong trends - where will those trends take us in the year ahead? Cliff Taylor looks at the latest Central B...

“The market has never been in a better position” - Health insurance expert Dermot Goode

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On Monday, VHI took the insurance market by surprise by announcing rebates to customers and a price cut to premiums that will take effect in May. So w...

Spiralling energy costs and the move to renewables

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With energy prices soaring and fears mounting over access to oil and gas, Cliff Taylor speaks to Muireann Lynch, Energy economist with the ESRI and Ge...

Rising interest rates / Further challenges for Irish aircraft lessors

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, ICS Mortgages increased its fixed interest rates for owner-occupier loans with immediate effect. Ciaran Hancock speaks to Joe Brennan of Th...

Two weeks of war: soaring energy prices and the “corporate cancellation of Russia”

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly two weeks into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Cliff Taylor and Mark Paul of The Irish Times take a look at the impact of the war on the globa...

The ripple effect of Russian sanctions

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has thrown global markets into turmoil and seen a spike in the price of oil and gas. Cliff Taylor explains what impact ...

How to achieve the electric vehicle target / Dublin’s struggling hotel sector

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Government’s target to have almost one million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 will be “a huge challenge” according to a new report by...

Dublin Port: to move or not to move / Dublin's build-to-rent problem

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Should Dublin Port relocate? Yes, according to a submission made to Dublin City Council by a group called the Docklands Business Forum, as the council...

Difficult decisions facing Government over cost of living crisis

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Ciarán Hancock speaks to Cliff Taylor of The Irish Times and Eddie Casey, Chief Economist at the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council about ...

Was Revolut put off by Irish red tape? Wayflyer joins the unicorns

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today Ciaran talks to Charlie Taylor and Joe Brennan about two big stories: online bank Revolut's decision not to use an Irish license to get into the...

What's driving Ireland's economic growth?

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the Irish economy begins to shrug off the effects of the pandemic and consumer spending returns to more normal levels, the Central Bank says it exp...

Interview: Dilosk chief executive Fergal McGrath

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 2013 Fergal McGrath, alongside his physicist brother Oran, co-founded Dilosk, a non-bank lender that offers mortgages in Ireland under the ICS bran...

“Right place, right time, right product” - Buymie CEO Devan Hughes

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Since launching in 2016, the Buymie grocery app has seen its business expand across five cities in two countries, with 13 per cent of Dublin household...

Mortgage lending surpasses Celtic Tiger era / minimum alcohol pricing

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Economist Conall Mac Coille and business journalist Eoin Burke-Kennedy join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the latest housing market assessment from proper...

What’s in store for business in 2022?

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we approach the end of a second year of the pandemic, Ciarán talks to Ibec chief Danny McCoy, Vulcan Consulting founder and CEO Lucinda Creighton ...

The biggest business stories of 2021

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This year in business saw a crisis at the stockbroking firm Davy, big exits from the banking sector, Denis O’Brien’s sale of Communicorp and major...

Would build-to-rent limits end apartment building in Dublin?

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A draft of Dublin City Council’s new development plan includes a proposal to limit the number of rental units in any new apartment schemes to 40%. D...

Interview: Glenveagh Properties CEO Stephen Garvey

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Glenveagh Properties chief executive Stephen Garvey shares his views on the Government’s housing policy, central bank mortgage rules and why he...

Is there any safe way to tackle inflation?

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Prices are rising for businesses and consumers. But what will central banks do in response to the surging rate of inflation?Econom...

Business class weathers the pandemic / pension auto-enrolment

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The pendulum swings down for insurance costs - but for how long?

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Irish motor insurers last year enjoyed their highest level of profitability since at least 2009, as the level of road accidents and claims declined du...

Seán FitzPatrick's legacy / The real aviation climate villains

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Carswell talks to Ciarán about Seán FitzPatrick, the former banker who died this week. FitzPatrick oversaw the rise of Anglo Irish Bank, from ...

What's happening at Web Summit? / Janet Yellen visits Dublin

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Taylor reports from Web Summit in Lisbon where conference founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave made some waves in his opening address, referencing t...

Will Ireland be able to meet the recommended carbon budgets?

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the Climate Change Advisory Council unveiled its recommendations for two, five-year carbon budgets aimed at reducing the State’s carbon e...

"Turbo-charging the affordable housing sector" - Land Development Agency CEO John Coleman

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Under the Government's recently published 'Housing For All' plan, the Land Development Agency has a big role to play in delivering badly-needed afford...

Budget 2022: Exchequer turnaround allows lots of spending & tax breaks, but disappointment for some

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

“In the future we are probably going to sell a mosaic of energies” - Maxol's Brian Donaldson

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

UK fuel crisis / Banking pay cap

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ciarán talks to The Irish Times London editor Denis Staunton about the extraordinary scenes at fuel stations across the UK this week, with supplies r...

The Great Resignation / Room to move on Ireland’s corporate tax rate?

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As staff begin to return to the workplace this week, Ciarán hears about new research being carried out at the University of Limerick exploring attitu...

Budget 2022: balancing the books after a crisis

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On Wednesday morning, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council issued its pre-budget submission, saying the Government’s plans, as outlined in the Summer E...

TV executive Pat Kiely on teaming with Fox to put Irish talent on screen

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Virgin Media Television head Pat Kiely talks to Laura Slattery about his new venture BiggerStage, a television production company that has part...

Back to the office: how will it work?

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week the Government announced further reopening plans which include a phased return to the workplace from September 20th. Joining Ciaran to discu...

Giving elite athletes' finances a sporting chance

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Ciarán talks to Ciarán Medlar and Cian O'Sullivan from professional services firm BDO, about its sports advisory unit which helps el...

Live events industry in limbo / North-south trade soars

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 fo...

Are sky-high rents here to stay?

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Why are rents rising by double-digit figures in rural Ireland? That figure, revealed in a daft.ie report released this week, reflects an “unpreceden...

“Great creativity comes out of difficult times” - Fiona Dawson on her retirement from Mars Food

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fiona Dawson joined the Mars Graduate Scheme in 1988 straight from Trinity College in Dublin. Since then, she has worked her way through various manag...

"We need to woo airlines back into Ireland" - DAA's Dalton Philips on aviation after Covid

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 thr...

The return of non-essential international travel

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, restrictions on non-essential international travel have eased, bringing new hope to the aviation and tourism industries. Those who are full...

The EU's sweeping climate change plan / "Scared and stressed" over-60s in mortgage arrears

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

France urge Ireland to reconsider tax rate

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a letter to The Irish Times, Clément Beaune, the French minister for European affairs, has appealed to the Irish people to reconsider their opposi...

Can indoor dining resume this summer?

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Now that the Government has postponed the resumption of indoor dining, the hospitality sector faces an uncertain summer. In this episode, Ciarán talk...

How realistic are the post-Covid spending plans? / Northern Ireland trade

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times and Sebastian Barnes, Chair of the Independent Fiscal Advisory Council join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the ambitious sp...

Stobart Air closure: what's next for the aviation sector?

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cliff Taylor talks to Irish Times business reporter Barry O’Halloran and director of Shannon Chamber and former CEO of Shannon Development Kevin Tho...

G7 tax deal: what was agreed and what does it mean for Ireland?

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The decision by G7 finance ministers last weekend to back a major package of global corporate tax reform is significant, making agreement at the OECD ...

Restaurants struggle to recruit staff / Does the pandemic recovery plan go far enough?

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sinead Lambert, owner of Sol Rio restaurant in Westport, Co. Mayo, joins Ciaran to discuss her reopening plans for the summer ahead and the mysterio...

Hotels and restaurants ready to reopen

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ciaran talks to Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly and to president of the Irish Hotels Federation and director of Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel and S...

Ransomware: how big is the threat to Irish companies?

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The true scale of the ransomware attack on the HSE by the cybercriminals known as Wizard Spider is not yet clear, but the task of rebuilding the execu...

Climate action: why business as usual won’t work

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bold action is needed by governments, business and investors around the world in order to tackle climate change. On today’s show we look at some of ...

What is the potential economic cost of a united Ireland?

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Eoin Burke Kennedy from the Irish Times and DCU Professor John Doyle join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the potential economic impact of Irish reunificati...

Joe Walsh Tours closure / The changing mortgage market

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After more than sixty years in business, Irish travel agent Joe Walsh Tours has announced it has ceased trading. The well known tour operator cited Ir...

Super League shambles and the future of European football

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On Sunday, twelve of Europe’s biggest football clubs announced plans to form a breakaway Super League, drawing an onslaught of criticism from fans, ...

Interview: Hotelier John Fitzpatrick on the reopening of NYC

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Ciaran Hancock is joined by hotelier John Fitzpatrick, owner of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group in New York City. Later this month, t...

Contradictory exchequer numbers paint a messy picture of Ireland's pandemic economy

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe says better-than-expected exchequer returns show our economic "resilience", but do the numbers hide deeper scars?...

The long goodbye to lockdown

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week the Government revealed its plan for the phased reopening the economy from April 12th onwards. On today’s show, Ciaran is joined by Ibec c...

Interview: Mark Carney, economist, banker and author of Value(s)

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Value(s) is the new book by economist and former governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney. It’s an exploration into the ways in which economic an...

The pandemic economy one year on; a fair deal for tenants in George's Street Arcade

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's a year since the Irish economy first shut down. Parts of it have scarcely reopened since. For an update on how the pandemic is affecting the over...

What went wrong at Davy? With Niamh Brennan and Joe Brennan

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We look at the extraordinary events of the past week at Ireland's biggest stockbroker Davy, with help from reporter Joe Brennan and Professor Niamh Br...

Dublin Bus CEO Ray Coyne on the future of transport in the city

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With such reduced passenger numbers, how has Dublin Bus adapted and survived in the age of Covid-19? And what does the future hold?To find out, Ciaran...

Interview: Rick Larkin Executive Director at Twinlite

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Twinlite describes itself as the best property company in Dublin. A family run business, their property portfolio consists of housing and apartment de...

Retail rent pressure / Ulster Bank: will it stay or will it go?

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After almost a year in an out of lockdown, many retailers have seen their premises shuttered for vast majority of the last 52 weeks. A good deal of th...

Dublin rents dip, tax headaches for remote workers

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's podcast we look at how Covid-19 has created a series of complications for the many companies based in Ireland with large numbers of emp...

Construction sector shutdown / Innovation Awards Winner

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Galway-based company HidraMed Solutions has won the Irish Times Innovation of the Year award for 2020 for developing a novel dressing system aimed at ...

When will tourism take off again?

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After a devastating 2020, it was hoped that the tourism sector could be restarted in the second quarter of 2021. With the extension of Level 5 restric...

Business of sport: two leaders on the Covid challenge ahead

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Olympic Federation of Ireland president and Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane and GAA director of communications Alan Milton join Ciaran Hanacok and Michae...

Irish banks go after Revolut / Pandemic TV

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A group of Irish banks is seeking to set up an instantaneous money-transfer mobile app to take on the likes of Revolut and N26. Synch Payments, a join...

“We are a company that has helped keep Ireland open” - An Post’s David McRedmond

06 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In December 2020, An Post delivered a staggering 14 million parcels. This figure comes in at more than double the amount handled by the company in the...

Looking ahead to 2021 with Danny McCoy, Anne Graham and Mark Paul

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ciarán is joined by a panel of guests to look ahead to 2021 and the major challenges facing Irish businesses and the economy. On the panel are Danny ...

Widespread vaccination achievable by "late autumn", says Taoiseach Micheál Martin

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says widespread vaccination against Covid-19 is possible by "late autumn". In this podcast he talks to Ciaran Hancock about ...

The future of flying - with DAA chief executive Dalton Philips

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Ciarán speaks to Dalton Philips, chief executive of daa, which owns and runs Dublin and Cork airports, as well as the travel retail busines...

Reopening after lockdown, again / Brexit crunch time

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After six weeks of lockdown many shops and restaurants were finally able to reopen last week. How has it been so far? Ciarán is joined by Elaine Murp...

Where did it all go wrong for Topshop?

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Arcadia Group, the retail empire belonging to British businessman Philip Green, has gone into administration. The news this week, puts over 13,000 job...

Is a post-Covid economic boom on the way? - with Chris Johns

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps sensing we all need a bit of a lift, Irish Times columnist Chris Johns explains why he feels conditions are ripe for robust economic growth in...

Focus on pharma as vaccines offer hope for 2021 / Brexit decision time

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With good news on the Covid-19 vaccine front, we look at the companies who have developed vaccines so far, what they mean for the pharma industry and ...

What Biden's win means for the global economy / Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

US president-elect Joe Biden is expected to restore a calmer US trade and foreign policy when he takes office in January, but after four years of Dona...

“At some point this terrible virus will end, we have to believe this” - Dalata’s Pat McCann

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ciaran Hancock is joined by Pat McCann, Chief Executive of Dalata Hotel Group. McCann last spoke to us on the podcast back in Ap...

Consumer sentiment falls again / How the US election will affect the stock market

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Irish consumer sentiment has fallen again amid concerns of how the latest Covid-19 restrictions will impact income and employment prospects over the n...

Closing the shutters: Ireland moves to level 5 restrictions

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From midnight tonight the entire country will move to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, resulting in the closure of many businesses, including all non-es...

Budget 2021: “unprecedented in size and scale”

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Budget 2021 is here. A budget like no other, drawn up on the assumptions of a no-deal Brexit and another year without a Covid-19 vaccine. It was deliv...

What's it like right now for investors? / A restaurant business expands

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Even before the impact of Covid-19, low interest rates and uncertain markets were making it difficult for investors to find a good place to put their ...

Business of Sport: Covid-19 impact on Leinster Rugby and Kerry GAA

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week it’s the business of sport with Ciaran Hancock and Mick O’Keefe of Teneo. Together, they speak with Mick Dawson, CEO of Leinster Rugby a...

Starting a business in a pandemic

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Some people called it brave. A lot of people called it stupid too!" That's what coffee shop owner Ger O'Donohoe tells Ciaran on this week's podcast a...

Dublin city centre suffers as more stringent Covid-19 measures loom

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dublin city centre faces a unique threat to its business ecosystem. Retail and hospitality are suffering, tourists are absent, office workers are abse...

Ireland in recession / Google’s change of mind

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland is officially in recession. Recent figures from the CSO, show the economy contracted by 6.1% between April and June, the sharpest decline ever...

Irish aviation struggles / Economic forecasts with Sebastian Barnes

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

First up in today’s episode, Cliff Taylor is joined by Dee Ryan, Chief Executive of Limerick Chamber of Commerce and Irish Times reporter Barry O’...

Will Covid-19 spell the end of the traditional office environment?

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the many ways that Covid-19 has impacted daily life, is the complete overhaul of the office working environment. Since March, many Irish people...

"It's still precarious" - revisiting Covid-hit entrepreneurs

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past few months we've spoken to many businesspeople in different sectors about their struggles to adapt and survive in the Covid-19 economy. ...

Pat Rigney from The Shed Distillery Drumshanbo

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim was set up in 2014. In just under six years, the young business has proved a success at home and in ...

These covid-stricken business sectors could be on the brink of failure

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Certain parts of the economy remain almost completely shuttered, either as a result of restrictions or changed consumer behaviour. Can these stricken ...

Can Irish aviation survive the pandemic? / Ann Chapman from Stonechat Jewellers

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 heard from representatives of Ryanair, Aer Lingus, the DAA and Shannon Group on how Irish avia...

EU recovery fund: what's in it for Ireland?

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week EU leaders agreed a 750 billion euro recovery fund to help member states deal with the economic damage caused by the pandemic. So who were t...

Apple Tax: inside Ireland's victory in landmark case

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"No-one expected as unequivocal a ruling as this": Ireland has prevailed in its case against the EU Commission, who claimed that billions in corporati...

The economic outlook darkens - with Chris Johns and Eoin Burke-Kennedy

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a report published yesterday the EU downgraded its forecast for the European economy as the impact of Covid-19 beds in. Meanwhile, the government i...

Covid-19's impact on the housing market - with John McCartney

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Reports this week that AIB will not give mortgages to those in receipt of government-subsidised wages showed the potential impact of Covid-19 on the p...

Back in business: Irish companies prepare to reopen

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we approach the next phase on the roadmap out of lockdown, many businesses across Ireland are preparing to reopen after three months of closure. In...

“Ambiguous and vague” - Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty on the new Programme for Government

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty and Irish Times journalist Cliff Taylor join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the ...

"Whatever way you do the maths, I don't see us all surviving" - Covid-19's Impact on Hospitality

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ciaran Hancock is joined by JP McMahon, a chef and restaurant owner from county Galway and by Des O’Dowd a hotelier in Inchydo...

Bank of Ireland CEO Francesca McDonagh

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Ciarán Hancock speaks to Francesca McDonagh, Group Chief Executive at Bank of Ireland, about the impact Covid-19 has had on the f...