Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

In this episode Ciarán talks to Ciarán Medlar and Cian O'Sullivan from professional services firm BDO, about its sports advisory unit which helps elite sports people and entertainers with their tax planning. Medlar is BDO's Partner in charge of Taxation Services and also chairman of Shamrock Rovers football club. O'Sullivan meanwhile is Director in the Private Client Tax team at BDO, but is probably better known for his GAA career as an All Ireland winning Dublin footballer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's one of the last industries to remain almost totally shuttered by the pandemic. But those working in live music are still waiting to see a plan for the reopening of the sector, even as thousands attend concerts taking place in Northern Ireland and further afield. Promoters here are begging Minister for Culture Catherine Martin to announce a roadmap for live music to return. Shane Dunne, a concert promoter and festival organiser, returns to the podcast to tell Ciaran about the plight of the live music industry and how there may not be much of an infrastructure for live events left when we need it.The latest trade figures from the Central Statistics Office highlight the disruption brought about by Brexit at the beginning of the year.Imports from Britain fell by 32 per cent or €2.5 billion in the first six months of this year, according to the data published on Monday.Meanwhile, the level of imports from Northern Ireland rose by €776 million, indicating that Irish buyers and British suppliers are increasingly using the North as a means of getting goods into the Republic.Ciaran talks to Stephen Kelly of Manufacturers Northern Ireland about the significance of the figures and whether the controversial Northern Ireland protocol is bedding in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are rents rising by double-digit figures in rural Ireland? That figure, revealed in a daft.ie report released this week, reflects an “unprecedented scarcity” of homes to rent across the country, according to the report's authors. But is there more to it than a lack of supply?With rents in Dublin often reaching €2000 per month, is affordable rent likely to come even with increased supply? And why are landlords exiting the rental market? Ciaran talks to Marian Finnegan, Chief Economist and Director of Research with Sherry Fitzgerald, and reporter Eoin Burke-Kennedy about all things housing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiona Dawson joined the Mars Graduate Scheme in 1988 straight from Trinity College in Dublin. Since then, she has worked her way through various management and leadership positions before taking on her final role as Global President of Mars Food, Multisales and Global Customers. This month, after more than three decades with the company, Dawson has taken early retirement at just 55 years of age and is looking forward to the next chapter. In this episode, Dawson speaks to Ciaran Hancock about her career progression within Mars, what makes a good leader and how she dealt with the challenges and crises that came along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a post-pandemic world and with climate on the agenda, will Dublin Airport ever again reach the heights of the 33 million passengers that passed through it back in 2019? Dublin Airport Authority CEO Dalton Philips returns to the podcast to tell Ciaran how the industry is faring as passenger volumes begin to increase after a disruptive 18 months. Dalton says he is confident in the recovery of passenger numbers, but warns of the impact of changing travel patterns and calls for ministers and state agencies to push for the return of global airlines to Ireland.Produced in association with EY. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, restrictions on non-essential international travel have eased, bringing new hope to the aviation and tourism industries. Those who are fully vaccinated, have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months, or who present a negative Covid-19 test can now travel more freely within the European Union, as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ciaran Hancock is joined by Irish Times reporter Barry O’Halloran and CEO of ITIC Eoghan O’Mara Walsh to discuss what this means for the hospitality and travel sectors, how the digital Covid certificate scheme will work and the future of transatlantic connectivity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today the European Union revealed the details of its “Fit for 55”, a package of toughened climate laws designed to help hit the target of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030. But what does it contain, does it go far enough to hit the target, and what will it mean for business and consumers? Environment editor Kevin O Sullivan and Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary report. A Central Bank paper on long-term debt has revealed that over-60s make up a quarter of all those in mortgage arrears. This vulnerable group, often with limited ability to escape debt due to their age, should be offered new ways to manage their debt, says the bank. Markets correspondent Joe Brennan explains what the Central Bank has said, and Rachel McGovern, Director of Financial Service for Mortgage Brokers Ireland, says our approach to those in arrears has stored up problems and needs a rethink. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a letter to The Irish Times, Clément Beaune, the French minister for European affairs, has appealed to the Irish people to reconsider their opposition to a global minimum corporate tax rate. This plea followed on from Ireland’s rejection of a draft agreement on international tax reform from the OECD. Cliff Taylor and Lara Marlowe join Ciaran to discuss the debate around corporate tax. Plus, Eoin Burke Kennedy on the flawed Irish housing market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now that the Government has postponed the resumption of indoor dining, the hospitality sector faces an uncertain summer. In this episode, Ciarán talks to Galway restaurateur and owner of the Michelin starred Aniar restaurant, JP McMahon, about what the delay will mean for his business now and into the future. They’re joined by The Irish Times business affairs correspondent Mark Paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times and Sebastian Barnes, Chair of the Independent Fiscal Advisory Council join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the ambitious spending proposals made by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis last week, including the planned building of 40,000 houses per year and retaining current levels of health spend. But where will the money come from and how realistic are the budgetary plans? Later on, Stephen Kelly of Manufacturers NI joins Ciaran and Cliff to talk about the accelerated trade between the Republic and Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit and the thorny issues surrounding the Protocol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.