It’s nail-biting time for the thousand or so secondary school students who are displaying their scientific and technological prowess at the BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition this week.  That’s because the winners will be announced tomorrow. The exhibition comes as Ireland’s dependence on technology comes into sharp focus - ahead of major policy changes when Donald Trump assumes power. 

Joining Joe this morning in studio was Shay Walsh the Chief Executive of BT Ireland . 

Joe Lynam takes a look Thursday's business news headlines.

We were all locked down and forced to work from home almost 5 years ago.  Many people found it liberating not to have to commute to work every day and legislation was even passed to provide workers with the legal option of flexible or hybrid working. 

But a new study from the Compass Group says that working from home leads to exclusion and problems with Socialisation.  Needless to say, opinion is divided. 

Joe discusses the report findings further with Yvonne Mulally from Compass Group. 

The outgoing energy Minister Eamonn Ryan said last week that there shouldn't be any more new data centres until such time as the electricity grid was beefed up and able to sustain the extra qualities of energy needed to cool these data warehouses.

That message will have sent a chill down the backs of those trying to make Ireland attractive for technology companies in general and AI in particular.  But was the minister right to say that building more data centres puts the horse before the cart if the grid is not ready or able to deal with surges in demand? Joe discusses this with Garry Connolly, Founder of Host in Ireland.

Donald Trump will be president in less than 2 weeks and has promised to reshore jobs back to America.  No European country is more worried than Ireland given the economy’s utter dependence on US FDI.  The vast majority of our Corporation Tax receipts emanate from only 10 companies all American.  So what sort of challenges does the IDA which lured and nurtured them to invest and stay invested in Ireland?   

Feargal O'Rourke, used to head up PwC but now he chairs the IDA as well as the IIEA and also sits on the boards of C&C and Yuno.  Fergal has a new book about Irish rugby called ‘From Rags to Riches’ 

We reportedly have a problem persuading young people to go into trades or starting apprenticeships.  So it’s welcome when a modern company agrees to take on hundreds of new apprentices every year.

Suir Engineering needless to say based in Waterford is doing exactly that.  Suir specialises in electrical and mechanical high voltage solutions by building substations for the likes of Eirgrid and the ESB. This week Suir has acquired its Scottish rival Taylor & Fraser.  John Kelly, Chief Executive of Suir Engineering joined Joe this morning on the show.

Tuesday's business news headlines along with Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam.

The latest AIB services index suggests that Ireland’s most important sector will continue to grow in 2025.   The services sector which accounts for more than 70% of the entire economy includes bars and hotels as well as hairdressers, architects, lawyers and of course consultants.  So things are looking up for Harry Goddard who is the boss of Deloitte Ireland one of the country’s biggest consultants.

Did you enjoy your Christmas party with your colleagues last month? Or perhaps you’re one of a growing body of companies that keeps its big company get together for the start of the year rather than the end of it?

There is evidence to suggest that the big giant booze up before the Christmas holidays is falling out of favour with employers. So what should they do to mix business with pleasure and more importantly retain the goodwill of their staff in a time of very low unemployment? 

Joe asked Paul Davis from DavisEvents.ie  

We take a look at today's international business news stories along with Russ Mould from AJ Bell.