The IMF's urged the Government not to cut taxes in the upcoming budget, to protect against future fiscal shocks. DCU professor of economics Edgar Morgenroth, Cliff Taylor and Eoin Burke-Kennedy discuss why Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe would do well to heed the warning, contained in the fund's latest assessment of State’s economic performance.

They also discuss whether Ireland is headed for another property bubble, if it is time for price parity between petrol and diesel, and why the government must get the planning for MetroLink right, if it is get any bang for its buck.

But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including Glanbia chief executive Siobhán Talbot being named The Irish Times Business Person of the Year for 2018

The timber industry contributes about €2.3 billion to the Irish economy each year and supports 12,000 jobs in rural Ireland. But with some 78 per cent of the output exported overseas, the implications of Brexit are obvious.

To discuss this industry and the threat it faces, Ciarán is joined by Coillte CEO Fergal Leamy, John Murray, owner of Murray Timber, and Lucinda Creighton, MD of Vulcan Consulting.

But first Eoin Burke Kennedy is here to talk about his selection of the day's major business news, including soaring property prices, Google and Facebook backing away from political advertising and a proposed levy on diesel.

A row has erupted over a controversial decision by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council to place land around Leopardstown racecourse on its Vacant Sites Register. Olivia Kelly and Barry O'Halloran have the details on the story. Later, Davy's chief economist Conall Mac Coille on the stockbroker's latest upbeat economic forecasts. But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories this week, including the EU’s Multi Annual Financial Framework and mixed news on Ireland’s cost of living.

On today's podcast, Mark Paul talks to Ciarán Hancock about Irish-owned Smyths Toys €79 million European expansion. Conor Pope reports on two consumer scandals involving Irish Ferries and Ulster Bank. But first, Eoin Burke-Kennedy has a roundup of some of the week’s other stories, including the latest developments in the tracker mortgage scandal and an agreement for Apple to begin paying its Irish tax bill.

Mark Paul and Simon Carswell talk to Ciarán Hancock about the latest developments in the INM saga. Also, Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the details of the government’s latest Stability Programme Update. But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the other stories this week, including the appearance of senior Facebook executive Joel Kaplan at an Oireachtas Committee.

Our cricket players have had some notable success in the last few years, but would still be more likely to get recognised on the street in Delhi than here in Dublin. Might that be about to change? This week host Ciarán Hancock and Michael O'Keeffe of Teneo PSG are joined by Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom to talk about Ireland's elevation to Test Nation status and what that means for the future of the game in Ireland.

But first Michael has all the latest news from the sports business world, including Conor McGregor's endangered sponsorships, the staggering growth of fees paid to player agents, and commercial deals for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

On today's podcast:

Colm Keena on the alleged data breach at INM

Data expert Daragh O'Brien on what employers can and can't do with your emails

Economist Megan Greene on the return of tariffs. What is President Trump's next move?

Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the latest Exchequer returns

And Peter Hamilton has the rest of this week's business news, including accelerating house building and some much-needed good news for tech.

The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement escalated its investigation into Independent News & Media this past week, confirming its intention to seek the appointment of a High Court inspector to the company. Irish Times legal affairs correspondent Colm Keena has the background. Also, Joe Brennan on jobs cuts at Bank of Ireland and Chris Johns on renewed stock market turbulence.

But first, Laura Slattery has a roundup of some of the week’s stories including Central Bank figures showing around 350,000 people in Ireland used moneylenders last year and a survey by communications regulator Comreg, suggesting Netflix is used by at least 500,000 Irish households.

Former Siptu president Jack O’Connor talks to Ciarán Hancock about his plans to contest the next general election for the Labour party, why Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is more fortunate than competent, Labour's past mistakes, the future of work, and more.

But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of the week’s news stories, including falling Facebook shares in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the threat to corporate tax here due to an EU digital tax and the Irish champagne sales losing their fizz.

Husband and wife founders of Waterford based Immersive VR Education, David and Sandra Whelan, talk to Ciarán Hancock about the holding company's €6.7m IPO on the London and Irish stock markets this week. Also, Cliff Taylor on the European Commission’s plans for a digital tax and what impact it could have on Ireland. But first, Laura Slattery has a round-up of the week’s stories, including a planned redesign of Aer Lingus uniforms, the latest tourism figures and Paddy McKillen Jnr’s Press Up hospitality group’s potential stock market flotation.