The Irish Times broke the story about a "schism" within the Independent News & Media board that led its CEO Robert Pitt to consider his position. For more on the story this week's host Cliff Taylor talks to business affairs correspondent Mark Paul and media reporter Laura Slattery.Then Ciara O'Brien pops in with an array of gadgets you may be tempted to splash out on, either for yourself or a loved one this Christmas. Ciara shows Cliff how to use a Virtual Reality headset and the best way to silence a blabbering Furby. And Joe Brennan has the latest market news, including Opec's moves towards reducing oil production and fears over Italy's constitutional referendum. What knock-on effects will a defeat for Mario Renzi have on Italy's banks?

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The Central Bank announced today that it is easing the mortgage lending rules. What will this mean for first time buyers and will supply meet increasing demand for new units? To discuss the permutations of this latest decision, Ciarán Hancock is joined in studio by Housing Studies lecturer in DIT Lorcan Sirr and Markets Correspondent Joe Brennan.Black Friday promises deep discounts for bargain hunters in the run up to Christmas. While a a relatively new phenomenon in this country, Black Friday has had American consumers queuing outside stores for decades. Does it actually represent good value for shoppers and why are some bricks and mortar retailers less than enthused by it's growing popularity here? Our Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope, CTO with eShopWorld Colm O'Donaill and founder of Wolfgang Digital Alan Coleman offer their insight.

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"Transformational" is how Greencore CEO Patrick Coveney described the company's proposed $747.5 million acquisition of Illinois-based Peacock Foods. Patrick joins Ciarán Hancock to talk about the deal. Why is this deal the right one for Greencore now, and how will they avoid a repeat of their ill-fated purchase of Imperial Holly in the 1990s? In part two, Irish Times business team Cliff Taylor, Laura Slattery and Joe Brennan pop in with all the business news that's fit to talk about, including post-Trump market mayhem, moves by Aer Lingus and Easyjet, and Virgin Media's purchase of UTV.

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The election of Donald Trump has taken everyone by surprise, not least the Republican Party who seemingly have no transitional arrangement in place. How will President Trump impact free trade? Will we see an exodus of US companies from our shores? Will President Trump retreat from some of the rhetoric that defined his election campaign? To answer these questions and more, Ciarán Hancock is joined in studio by business consultant and former Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton, Equity Analyst at Investec Ronan Dunphy and Business Editor Cliff Taylor.

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We look ahead to the presidential election and ask whether a President Trump or a President Clinton would best serve Irish interests in trade, foreign direct investment, the peace process and dealing with undocumented migrants. On the panel are former Taoiseach John Bruton, American economist Megan Greene and NUIG lecturer and Boston native Larry Donnelly.

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Mark Paul paid a visit to Athenry in Galway to find out about Apple's proposed data centre there and a legal challenge to it's development that has the local business community up in arms. A proposed trade deal between Canada and the EU could be scuppered by the staunchly socialist Wallonia region in South Belgium. To look at the reasons for this we're joined by Suzanne Lynch and EU trade expert John Clancy. Does the merger of AT&T and Time Warner signal a change in how their customers will watch content in the future? The $85.4 billion deal would bring 130 million mobile phone customers and 25 million pay-TV subscribers in contact with a vast amount of content - if allowed go through. Laura Slattery explains.

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Michael O'Leary remains bullish in the face of falling sterling with promises to pump a million seats month into weak winter market and 15% price reductions. Head of broking at Goodbody Stockbrokers Joe Gill and markets correspondent Joe Brennan join host Cliff Taylor to discuss the strange scenario of Ryanair issuing profit warning while seeing a 5% rise in their stock.Joe Brennan discusses the permutations of tomorrow's Finance Bill in light of what many are calling a "minimalist budget". What are the key issues Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has to grapple with? What kind of tone of discussion can we expect at this week's EU leaders summit and how will those present react to the 'hard Brexit' line taken at the recent Tory Party conference? Suzanne Lynch joins us on the line from Brussels to discuss Theresa May's much-anticipated first EU summit as leader.And finally, Ciarán Hancock sat down with Gareth Loye and Mark McCloskey for the last in our series of EY Entrepreneur of the year profiles.

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On this week's podcast our panel looks at budget 2017.First, Political Correspondent Fiach Kelly reports from Leinster House on what big ticket items were announced today. Then Ciarán Hancock is joined by Irish Times Property Editor Madeline Lyons, Business Editor Cliff Taylor and Peter Reilly of PWC to look at what the budget means for housing, business, investors and your pocket.

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Part one: Host Ciarán Hancock and Markets Correspondent Joe Brennan are joined on the line by BBC business reporter Joe Lynam to get the latest understanding of short and long-term impact of Brexit. The drop in sterling aside, the much-anticipated "short, sharp shock" hasn't quite materialised. What is the current mood among the Conservative party, and what awaits Britain and Ireland after Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is invoked next March?Part two:In the wake of the closure of Clerys last June, it has come to light that Boston-based equity firm Gordon Brothers paid themselves €3.65 million shortly before the the store closed its doors and 460 people lost their jobs. Business Affairs Correspondent Mark Paul talks us through the recent developments.Part three: The latest in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards nominee profiles features Stephen Vernon of Green Property and Colin Culliton from TPI Group.

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The domestic tourism industry has experienced strong growth in the last two years and now provides one eighth of all jobs in Ireland. Initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way and the 9% VAT rate applicable to some in the industry have helped. On today's programme, Business Affairs Correspondent Mark Paul takes to the road to speak with operators around the lesser-visited parts of the country to see how things are going and what more can be done. Back in studio, Mark and Ciarán are joined by practitioners Travis Zeray of Clew Bay Bike Hire, Joan Reilly of Doolin 2 Aran Ferries, and also Eoghan O'Mara Walsh of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation to discuss what more can be done by the state and the industry to continue the good work.

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