Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

After a devastating 2020, it was hoped that the tourism sector could be restarted in the second quarter of 2021. With the extension of Level 5 restrictions to March 5th and new mandatory quarantine travel rules, that now looks unlikely. Just when, and how, will tourism - domestic and overseas - get its post-Covid reboot? Ciaran talks to Dublin travel agent John Galligan, hotelier and president of the Irish Hotels Federation, Elaina Fitzgerald Kane and Irish Times business journalist Mark Paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olympic Federation of Ireland president and Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane and GAA director of communications Alan Milton join Ciaran Hanacok and Michael O'Keeffe to talk about the challenges and opportunities for sport in Ireland in 2021. But first, Michael has some research on the disruption created by Covid-19. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of Irish banks is seeking to set up an instantaneous money-transfer mobile app to take on the likes of Revolut and N26. Synch Payments, a joint venture between AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB and KBC, is awaiting approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. In today's podcast, Ciaran is joined by Irish Times markets correspondent Joe Brennan and Hesus Inoma, associate director at Grant Thornton's Financial Services Advisory practice, to discuss the move.Later, Laura Slattery on the growth of television viewing in 2020, driven in part by pandemic lockdown restrictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In December 2020, An Post delivered a staggering 14 million parcels. This figure comes in at more than double the amount handled by the company in the same period last year. The pandemic and subsequent lockdown have resulted in phenomenal e-commerce growth for the business, with most consumers doing their shopping online.In today’s episode, CEO of An Post David McRedmond sits down with host Ciaran Hancock to discuss the company's overall performance in 2020, the multi-million euro investment plans which include the relocation of An Post’s headquarters from the GPO in Dublin and the impact Brexit is having on parcels coming in from the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciarán is joined by a panel of guests to look ahead to 2021 and the major challenges facing Irish businesses and the economy. On the panel are Danny McCoy, CEO of business representative group Ibec, Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, and Mark Paul, business affairs correspondent with The Irish TimesDanny tells Ciarán what Brexit really means for Ireland in 2021, Anne explains the investment programme planned for public transport and Mark talks about what the State can do to help reboot our ailing aviation and tourism sectors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says widespread vaccination against Covid-19 is possible by "late autumn". In this podcast he talks to Ciaran Hancock about the vaccine rollout plan, how the Government will extend supports to businesses and employees beyond the current expiration date of those schemes, the likelihood of a Brexit deal and much more. To all our listeners, we wish you a happy and safe Christmas. Thanks to our sponsor Davy for its support throughout 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ciarán speaks to Dalton Philips, chief executive of daa, which owns and runs Dublin and Cork airports, as well as the travel retail business Aer Rianta International.In this wide-ranging interview, he tells us that passenger numbers at Dublin Airport are down by 90% and are unlikely to get back to pre-pandemic levels until 2024.The situation at Cork Airport is even worse. Before Covid-19 hit it was the fastest growing airport in the country. Now, on some days, there isn’t a single flight in or out.Philips talks to Ciaran about the drastic measures that daa has had to take in order to prevent the business from going bust, what next year looks like with a vaccine on the horizon and the future of the aviation industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After six weeks of lockdown many shops and restaurants were finally able to reopen last week. How has it been so far? Ciarán is joined by Elaine Murphy, founder director of The Winding Stair Group of restaurants, and Jean McCabe, owner of the Willow boutique in Ennis Co Clare and deputy chair of Retail Excellence Ireland, to discuss their experiences of resuming trade, how they’ve fared in the pandemic and their hopes for 2021.Later, Cliff Taylor has the latest on the Brexit trade deal negotiations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arcadia Group, the retail empire belonging to British businessman Philip Green, has gone into administration. The news this week, puts over 13,000 jobs at risk and a question mark over the future of the company's fashion brands including Topshop, Topman and Dorothy Perkins.In today’s episode, Laura Slattery is joined by Dubliner Jo Farrelly, former Marketing Director of TopShop, to speak about the history of the iconic clothing store, the famous takeover by the billionaire in 2002 and her eventual departure from the company in 2007, alongside other senior members of management. Farrelly worked closely with Topshop director Jane Shepherdson to develop the strategy and vision of the brand, turning the once nicknamed ‘Flopshop’ into the coolest store on the high street. Also in today’s episode, Laura speaks to personal finance journalist Fiona Reddan about the record surge in mortgage approvals in October. With a 23% increase year on year, what does this mean for the market and is it really a good time to buy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perhaps sensing we all need a bit of a lift, Irish Times columnist Chris Johns explains why he feels conditions are ripe for robust economic growth in 2021, and outlines things the government should and shouldn't do to help that become a reality.This podcast is sponsored by Davy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.