Thursday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

€900 not bad for a few minutes work.  That’s the average refund for people who file their tax return online.  The Revenue wants more people to use the MyAccount facility online and join the 440,000 people who were entitled to a refund that's 80% of all those who filed returns last year. 

For advice on how to file your tax return Joe spoke to Aisling Ní Mhaoileoin, Manager of Revenue's National PAYE Services. 

Wednesday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

Europe has continuously lagged the US in terms of startups and capital investment in new companies. Much of that is down to the perception of red tape that exists when operating across the 27 member states. There is a new proposal which aims to get over this by creating an EU wide recognised legal entity called an EU Inc.

Joe was joined on the show by serial investor Andreas Klinger who led this proposal and began by asking him whether it was indeed messy to start a business in the EU these days.

Monday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

25% that’s the new tariff that the US has provisionally placed on its closest and biggest trading partners Canada & Mexico.  Their crime supposedly not adequately combating illegal migration and the opioid crisis.  That's despite Trump renegotiating a trade deal himself with both nations to create the USMCA when he was last in office.  To discuss these tariffs Joe spoke to Brad Setser who was part of the Obama administration and is now a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations. 

The total value of pension savings in Ireland stands at €142bn and rising.  Most of that money will be invested in bonds and equities but most of those shares will be large American companies who aren't shy of a bob or two. Speaking to Joe this morning was Alan Merriman the Chief Executive of Elkstone and he believes that a certain proportion of our huge savings pot should be required to be placed in Irish companies to support startups here rather than in America. 

The largest private healthcare insurer, VHI, announced across the board price increases yesterday. That will affect hundreds of thousands of customers. Overall, around 50% of Irish adults have private health insurance. That is among the highest in Europe. The body charged with ensuring fair play and that you are not overpaying is the health insurance authority.  

Brian Lee is the Chief Executive of the Health Insurance Authority joined Joe this morning on the show.

Friday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam and Kate English Chief Economist with Deloitte.

As we all know from 2007, a booming economy can collapse very quickly if there’s a major external shock.  We’ve similarly low unemployment and high house prices today. So are we just as vulnerable to a serious Trump-shaped externality?  Are about to entirely miss the AI boat in Europe? 

To discuss further Joe spoke to Neil Hughes the Chief Executive with Azets Ireland.