Irish Times Inside Business

Eoin Burke-Kennedy and economist Alan McQuaid take a look at the news that Ireland's corporation tax take came in a massive €1.45 billion ahead of estimates for the first 11 months of the year.

Have you ever gone to cash in a gift voucher only to find it has expired? That may be a thing of the past. Dermot Jewell of the Consumer Association of Ireland explains the changes to rules surrounding vouchers after a 25 year campaign by his organisation.

But first Peter Hamilton has a roundup of all the latest business news.

Economist and journalist Colm McCarthy has forecasted that air fares will rise by 30% should the European Commission increase their carbon tax on jet kerosene. He joins Ciaran Hancock and business reporter Barry O’Halloran in studio to discuss how this increase, along with the removal of the VAT exemption, will send the price of air travel soaring.

But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the week’s big business stories including which Irish city has been named the most efficient place to start a business.

Despite plenty of objection and many questions surrounding the escalating costs, the National Broadband Plan was signed in this week by the Cabinet. While the roll-out of high speed broadband across Ireland is a welcome initiative, Communications Spokesperson for Sinn Féin David Cullinane maintains it is a flawed and compromised process. Business Journalist Eoin Burke-Kennedy also joins host Ciarán Hancock to discuss the controversial plan.

Later, Laura Slattery is in studio to discuss the recent decision by the national broadcaster to move their prime sports coverage from RTE 2 to RTE 1. What does this mean for the future of the sister station?

Despite pressure from house hunters seeking to escape the rent trap and from politicians looking for solutions to the housing crisis, the Central Bank will not be tempted to ease mortgage lending restrictions, according to both its deputy governors in statements this week. Where does that leave this troubled market? Analysis from Eoin Burke-Kennedy and Joe Brennan.

What comes next for RTÉ? The state broadcaster revealed its plans to cut hundreds of jobs last week (on foot of a leak to The Irish Times). Industry correspondent Martin Wall on the pitfalls facing the organisation as it navigates choppy waters with employees, trade unions and the Government. 

But first Charlie Taylor has a roundup of some of the best business news stories of the week including a clampdown on dual pricing, a big payday for an Irish fintech success and a meltdown for Revenue's ROS system.

Mark Paul reports from Lisbon where he's repping The Irish Times at this year's Web Summit. Find out who is speaking and what is happening at the biggest annual tech gathering.

Atlantic Therapeutics won the top prize at last night's Innovation Awards, an event run by The Irish Times. The Galway-based company won for its technology that helps to treat bladder disorders, a problem that affects one in three women at some point. Ciarán was there and he interviewed Danny Forde, the firm's global product manager. But first Michael McAleer talks us through the other winners and their innovations.

Where will we get our electricity from in a decarbonised future? Eirgrid has produced a report on the future sources of Ireland's energy, setting out three possible scenarios. Environment correspondent Kevin O'Sullivan reports.

Barry O'Halloran on the decision by regulators to reduce passenger charges at Dublin Airport, a move opposed by the airport on the grounds it needs the funds for development of the critical facility. How was the decision reached and is the airport now at a disadvantage?

But first Laura Slattery has a roundup of the week's big business stories.

Dominic Coyle, Conor Pope and Laura Slattery join Cliff Taylor on today's podcast to talk about:

- two days, two big announcements of lost jobs. Bad luck or something more?

- why eir customers in need of help from the telecoms provider are often left unhappy.

- WeWork's travails hit plans for Dublin, new charges for EV owners and another gloomy Brexit forecast from Moodys.

Work continues in Brussels on a a Brexit deal, and its still uncertain if one will be reached, or indeed if one is whether it can then be passed by UK legislators. But what would it mean for the Irish economy if a deal such as we are hearing about is passed? Ciaran asks Cliff Taylor. 

Then Barry O'Halloran reports on two stories about how we are trying to reduce carbon emissions: a proposed offshore wind farm that would be situated 10 kilometres off the south Dublin coast and generate enough energy to power 600,000 homes, and the move by British Airways parent company IAG to offset some of its carbon emissions. A sign of things to come?

But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of the latest business news, including bad news for Facebook's cryptocurrency and for health food supplement manufacturers, and some interesting retail trends.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has delivered his Budget 2020 speech, with an overall package of €2.9 billion. Announcing measures worth €1.2 billion to tackle no-deal Brexit, Minister Donohoe said Budget 2020 is without precedent and “a budget that has been developed in the shadow of Brexit”. Will the measures announced today be enough to soften the landing?

In today’s podcast, Ciaran is joined first by Irish Times political reporter Jennifer Bray to go through the main points of the budget. Later, Liam Diamond, Tax Partner at PwC Ireland, and Cliff Taylor and Fiona Reddan of the Irish Times, get into the weeds on items including the no-deal Brexit package, the much vaunted €6 carbon tax hike and measures related to housing and health.

In today's podcast Cliff Taylor previews next week's budget and Peter Hamilton takes a trip to Trifol, a Portlaoise-based company which has developed a lucrative process for turning landfill plastic into wax.

Plus: Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the week's other business including Paddy Power's mega-merger with Canadian rival Stars and Tesco's little-known new CEO, Irishman Ken Murphy.