Business Post Podcasts

Muireann Lynch is an energy researcher with the Economic and Social Research Institute who has an incredibly detailed understanding of the irish energy system. During her interview she displayed both a professional and a personal interest in the challenges of decarbonisation.

For her policy changes, she propsed testing all behavioural change policies, thinking about systems instead of technologies, and reviewing the planning system.

For her personal changes she discussed breastfeeding for longer and buying a cargo bike.

Neasa Hourigan has developed a reputation as a hard-working, principled, and increasingly disruptive politician.

In the latest episode of Law on Trial, Roger Murray, SC, and partner with Callan Tansey, discusses why the HSE's narrative around medical negligence risks "vilifying" patients instead of highlighting the need for proper resourcing. He also discusses why the so-called gun for hire syndrome is a "complete myth" and how the experience of medical litigants in the courts can be improved. Hosts Catherine Sanz and barrister James McDermott discuss some legal news stories, including the latest developments connected to the Wagatha Christie case and a proposal in France which could send influencers to jail.

Alex White, senior counsel, reflects on his journey from journalism to law, a career in politics with the Labour party, and his recent appointment as director general of the Institute for International and European Affairs. Hosts Catherine Sanz and James McDermott also discuss some legal stories in the news.

Eavan Saunders, managing partner at Dentons Dublin and country head for Ireland, on her vision for the office, her A-list disputes team, battling gender bias, and winning new clients. Hosts Catherine Sanz and James McDermott, barrister, also discuss some recent legal cases in the news, a new law on service charges, and plans in Germany to legalise bin diving.

Mark Mellett is former chief of staff of the Irish Defence forces. Mellett has a unique perspective on climate and environment, having worked as with the Irish Naval Services and the Irish Defence Forces for many years. His experience has led him to believe that climate change poses one of the biggest security risks facing the world today, from migration, to conflict, to protecting new energy infrastructure.

For his policy changes, Mellett proposed for Ireland to bolster European Union security and autonomy by becoming a clean energy hub, address climate security and migration at an international level, and promote loss and damage funding for poorer countries.

For his personal change Mark discussed buying an electric car, and how he had set up a new company to help contribute to global climate action

Erinch Sahan is Business and Enterprise lead with the Doughnut Economics Action Lab. Doughnut economics is a new economic theory that pitches the idea of two visualised rings that represent planetary boundaries and social foundations. The theory advocates for an economic model that takes account of both, ensuring that we produce a strong enough economy to meet the social needs of society, without exceeding the ecological ceiling of our planet and its resources.

For his policy changes, Sahan chose to transform the ownership and governance of businesses so they are regenerative and distributive by design, to redesign the financial system so it is in service of wellbeing for all and our living planet, and to design policies that fosters businesses that create a new green economy.

For his personal changes, he discussed speaking to family and friends about the new green economy, and reducing flying and meat in his diet.

In the second episode of season three, Noeline Blackwell, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, discusses new legislation on human trafficking and how her team has been preparing to assist Ukrainians who may have been victims of sexual violence. She also chats about her views on arming the gardai, pro-bono work, and winning a recent lifetime achievement award.

Hosts Catherine Sanz and Cormac Ó Culáin also review some important legal stories in the news.