Business Post Podcasts

Catherine Sheridan spent many years working in Ervia, where she experienced the politics and the practicalities of building out and recasting critical Irish infrastructure such as gas and water networks. She is now chief operations officer with EI-H2, which is planning to build Ireland's first green hydrogen facility in Cork. For her Five Degrees of Change, Sheridan chose a national hydrogen strategy, decarbonising the gas grid, and takin a whole of energy system approach to climate action, as well as living a minimalist lifestyle, and taking an approach of imperfect pragmatism to her personal environmentalism.

Fraser Stewart is a PhD student researching local renewable energy systems at the University of Strathclyde. As well as giving a preview of COP26, Fraser discussed his Five Degrees of Change, including scaling up local and community owned renewable energy, using more public transport, and getting more working class voices into the energy and climate policy space.

Angela Denning, chief executive of the Courts Service of Ireland, joins the podcast to discuss the short-term and longer-term changes in the Irish court system. Construction law expert Deirdre Ní Fhloinn BL is interviewed on the Mica controversy, and the government's compensation scheme. Also on the slate: we discuss recent cases concerning personal injuries, anchor tenants in shopping centres and the selection of a jury in a pending US trial. And we count down the 'hit parade' of the top five most cited judgments in the past ten years.

Michael Peart, the first solicitor ever appointed as a High Court judge, talks about his career in his family firm, his decision to apply for the bench, and why he had a 'blast' during his 17 years on the superior courts. Katherine McGillicuddy BL talks about the pending litigation in the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning Graham Dwyer's mobile phone records. And is Mr Justice Max Barrett paving the way for the clearer use of English in written court judgements, by writing directly to the litigants?

Gwendolen Morgan of the Workplace Relations Commission talks about public hearings and evidence on oath in employment disputes. Ronan Lupton BL discusses the €225m WhatsApp fine for data protection breaches. Also, the new Texas abortion law, sentencing for possession of a stolen lawnmower, and litigation over the Sex Pistols' intellectual property. Law on Trial is presented by barristers Peter Leonard and Mark Tottenham, with Business Post legal correspondent Catherine Sanz.

Welcome to the Business Post's new podcast series on legal affairs in Ireland and beyond. In this new series, hosts Peter Leonard and Mark Tottenham, joined by Catherine Sanz, legal correspondent of the Business Post, shine a light on legal topics and offer interviews with high profile figures from the legal world.

Saoirse McHugh is a political activist who has made a big impression in the two years since she first ran for election. In this week's episode, Saoirse gives her Five Degrees of Change, including shutting Ireland down as a tax haven, stopping flying, going vegan and establishing a Department of Food.

Michael E Mann, one of the world's best known climate scientists, gives his Five Degrees of Change for a better relationship with the planet. Michael explains why he has taken to the front line of the climate war, and how the forces of "inaction" are changing their tactics from outright climate denial, to deception, distraction and doom mongering.

Sinead Mercier gives her Five Degrees of Change, including ensuring a just transition, only buying second hand clothes, and greater public ownership of our energy system.