Irish Times Inside Business

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 borne out. Emirates country-manager for Ireland, Enda Corneille, talks to Ciarán about how the airline has weathered the pandemic, the company’s carbon credentials and Emirates’ plans for its Dublin-Dubai route.

Plus: Cliff Taylor on the SSIA-style top-up from the State that is being proposed as part of a pensions auto-enrolment system currently being designed by the Government.

Irish motor insurers last year enjoyed their highest level of profitability since at least 2009, as the level of road accidents and claims declined during Covid-19 restrictions, according to a Central Bank of Ireland report.

On today's podcast Ciarán Hancock talks to markets correspondent Joe Brennan about the health of Ireland's insurance industry. He also talks to Conor Faughnan, who in his former role as director of consumer affairs for AA Ireland became well known to a generation of Irish motorists.

They discuss premiums, claims and profits in the industry that some say are excessive.

Simon Carswell talks to Ciarán about Seán FitzPatrick, the former banker who died this week. FitzPatrick oversaw the rise of Anglo Irish Bank, from a small Dublin lender into Ireland’s third largest bank, before the financial crisis and property crash brought down the bank.

Plus: Eoin Burke-Kennedy on who the biggest polluters in aviation are and how they avoid the harshest penalties.

Charlie Taylor reports from Web Summit in Lisbon where conference founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave made some waves in his opening address, referencing the investigation of Tanaiste Leo Varadkar's leak of confidential documents in front of a global audience. But how did it go down with the assembled tech elite? And what else is happening at Web Summit?

Plus, Eoin Burke-Kennedy on the latest strong exchequer figures and on US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to Dublin where she talked about moves to set a minimum global corporate tax rate, but didn't ruffle any feathers over Ireland's controversial role in international tax avoidance.

This week, the Climate Change Advisory Council unveiled its recommendations for two, five-year carbon budgets aimed at reducing the State’s carbon emissions by 51 per cent by 2030. But are these targets feasible? Despite the Covid lockdown last year, carbon emissions fell by only 3.6% in Ireland, casting doubt on Ireland’s ability to meet the upcoming climate objectives. Joining Ciaran Hancock to discuss the enormity of the task ahead for business, industry and individuals is Cliff Taylor and Kevin O’Sullivan of the Irish Times.

Under the Government's recently published 'Housing For All' plan, the Land Development Agency has a big role to play in delivering badly-needed affordable housing in Ireland. Ciaran talks to the LDA's chief executive John Coleman about the details of how the agency plans to fulfil that ambition.

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.

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 their next 100 years in operation, the company have undertaken a major revamp of their forecourt network and convenience shops. In today’s episode, Ciaran Hancock takes a trip out to their flagship outlet in Bray to speak with Maxol’s Chief Executive Brian Donaldson and to Director and family shareholder Noel McMullan. They speak about the impact of the pandemic on fuel sales, the future of cars and travel and how their business model can align itself with climate change targets set by the government.

Ciarán talks to The Irish Times London editor Denis Staunton about the extraordinary scenes at fuel stations across the UK this week, with supplies running out due, in part, to a shortage of lorry drivers. We also hear from London-based Irish business owner Ross Hynes about how the fuel crisis has impacted his operations.

Plus: Joe Brennan on the renewed spotlight on the banking pay cap, as Bank of Ireland CFO Myles O'Grady quits for food a role at wholesaler and retailer Musgraves.

As staff begin to return to the workplace this week, Ciarán hears about new research being carried out at the University of Limerick exploring attitudes to work, including the so-called “Great Resignation” sparked by the pandemic. Dr Sarah Kieran and the Work Futures Lab team at the Kemmy Business School are behind the research and aim to publish a full report in the coming months.

Plus: With the pressure on to fall into line with the OECD, the language Irish politicians are using about the 12.5% corporate tax rate has shifted. Is the way being cleared for a change in Ireland’s corporation tax regime? Ciarán talks to Cliff Taylor and PwC’s Feargal O’Rourke.