Irish Times Inside Business

This week EU leaders agreed a 750 billion euro recovery fund to help member states deal with the economic damage caused by the pandemic. So who were the winners and losers of this deal and what's in it for Ireland? Naomi O'Leary and Cliff Taylor join Ciarán Hancock to discuss.

"No-one expected as unequivocal a ruling as this": Ireland has prevailed in its case against the EU Commission, who claimed that billions in corporation tax were owed by Apple to the Irish exchequer due to its operations here. Europe's second highest court decided that none of the money was taxable here. But why was the case taken in the first place, and what will the EU's next move be in its attempts to shut down tax avoidance? Joe Brennan and Cliff Taylor explain.

In a report published yesterday the EU downgraded its forecast for the European economy as the impact of Covid-19 beds in. Meanwhile, the government is preparing its July stimulus package. Where should it find and direct its funds? To talk about the economic outlook, Ciaran is joined by Chris Johns and Eoin Burke Kennedy of The Irish Times.

Reports this week that AIB will not give mortgages to those in receipt of government-subsidised wages showed the potential impact of Covid-19 on the property market. So how is this closely-watched sector being affected, months into the crisis? John McCartney, director of research at Savills, and Irish Times reporter Jack Horgan-Jones talk to Ciaran Hancock.

As we approach the next phase on the roadmap out of lockdown, many businesses across Ireland are preparing to reopen after three months of closure. In this episode, Ciaran Hancock speaks to Teeling Whiskey co-founder Jack Teeling about the challenges that lie ahead for the Dublin based distillery. Also joining the discussion is Adrian Cummins from the Restaurants Association of Ireland, who is calling for a 1.8 billion euro government bailout of the sector.

Plus, Brian Keating from Richie’s Bike Store in Swords gives an insight into how their bicycle business has been operating since reopening in May.

In today’s episode Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty and Irish Times journalist Cliff Taylor join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the economic elements of the new Programme for Government. With very little in the way of costing laid out in their plans to reignite and renew the economy, how will the government pay for all of these new measures?

In today’s episode, Ciaran Hancock is joined by JP McMahon, a chef and restaurant owner from county Galway and by Des O’Dowd a hotelier in Inchydoney, West Cork, to speak about the impact Covid-19 has had on the hospitality trade. They discuss their plans to reopen at the end of the month and share their thoughts on the new guidelines issued this week from Fáilte Ireland. So what does the future hold for McMahon’s three restaurants and how will Inchydoney Lodge and Spa cope with strict social distancing and no-touch spa treatments amongst other new measures?

In today's episode, Ciarán Hancock speaks to Francesca McDonagh, Group Chief Executive at Bank of Ireland, about the impact Covid-19 has had on the financial sector. Also on the agenda is the payment breaks obtained by 18,000 Bank of Ireland customers, the likely fall in property prices and when the bank will restore its dividend payment for shareholders.

From lockdown in his home in Monaco, Michael Smurfit

talks to business editor Ciarán Hancock about his storied

career, his greatest successes and most stinging failures. He also recalls his ownership of The K Club, and criticises Covid-19 reaction he calls a “panic-demic”.

Today we hear from two seasoned entrepreneurs in two different industries about how they are dealing with the fallout from Covid-19 and the opportunities that will hopefully begin to arise as the economy begins to reopen. How does this compare to past disruptions they have experienced, and what lessons can be applied to this new situation?

Rachel Doyle founded Wicklow garden centre Arboretum in 1977 and the family business has since expanded with another store in Carlow.

Mary McKenna is one of the country's leading tour operators, of Tour America and Cruise Holidays.