Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

On this his farewell podcast, Arthur Beesley welcomes Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe to discuss this year's budget, the public's expectations amid a positive economic climate and the fiscal challenges this government faces should Britain vote to leave the EU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the conclusion of the lengthy trial of four former employees of Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Life & Permanent on charges of conspiracy, Legal Affairs Correspondent Colm Keena sits down with Ciarán Hancock to explain what happened in the historic trial and what comes next for the three accused found guilty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 1: Once we found our Irish sports on RTÉ and most foreign games on BBC or Sky, but things are changing. Irish Times media maven Laura Slattery reports on the shifting landscape of sports broadcasting rights. Part 2: The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council loves to deliver home truths to Michael Noonan and his colleagues in the Department of Finance, and their latest report is no different. Arthur Beesley and Cliff Taylor assess the economic realities underpinning our fiscal position in the years ahead in the light of IFAC's largely pessimistic findings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part one we look at the ten month investigation into the sale of NAMA's Northern Ireland property portfolio, culminating in the British National Crime Agency making two arrests in Co. Down. This represents a significant "step change" according to Irish Times business reporter Barry O'Halloran. He joins political correspondent Harry McGee and host Ciarán Hancock to discuss the various strands of this investigation, including Enda Kenny's refusal to launch an inquiry south of the border.Amazon announced more jobs for its Irish operation this week, and not just any jobs- among the 500 new positions, high-grade engineering posts are expected. Even better, Amazon expects to be able to fill the posts with Irish employees. Have we bridged the 'skills gap'? Ciara O'Brien reports on that announcement, and also on more good tech job news from Deloitte and their new 'Blockchain Lab' that will employ 50 in Dublin. But what is a blockchain? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal was sacked this week despite winning the FA Cup. The failures of his team on the pitch are well documented, but how much of a role did money play in the decision, and in the decision to hire his successor Jose Mourinho? Sports journalist Ken Early and Business Affairs Correspondent Mark Paul join Economics Editor Arthur Beesley to assess the business model of the great, or perhaps once-great, club. In part two: AIB's Q1 report portrays a bank on the mend, but significant challenges remain for the largely State-owned bank. Stephen Lyons of Davy Stockbrokers and Markets Correspondent Joe Brennan look at the health of the bank from the perspective of Government, shareholders and customers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part one of the Business Podcast Irish Times reporter Fiona Reddan joins Ciarán Hancock in studio to discuss the latest figures from the Central Bank and to answer the question 'How rich are the Irish?'.In part two Economist John Fitzgerald and Economics Editor Arthur Beesley join us to discuss the disruptive and time-consuming task of creating a new government department and how effective these changes have been historically. We also go over the latest recommendations from the European Commission regarding Ireland's economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Siptu President Jack O'Connor talks about his difficult relationship with new Minister for Transport Shane Ross, the Luas strike, the Labour Party's leadership contest, and accelerating the restoration of pay cuts to public servants. He also speaks about the end of his term of office in 2017 and what role he might play thereafter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investors in some FTSE companies are in revolt over the pay and bonuses awarded to their top executives. Joe Brennan and Cliff Taylor join Cíarán Hancock to explain why shareholders feel the top brass are not, in fact, worth it, and how remuneration for bankers may once again become a political hot potato here in Ireland if the AIB IPO goes ahead. In part two: how have 67 days without a government affected the economy, and how will the new minority government handle the books? Cliff and Cíarán are joined by Economics Editor Arthur Beesley and Europe Correspondent Suzanne Lynch to examine new EU growth forecasts, Irish Exchequer figures and the promises made in the Fianna Fáil - Fine Gael agreement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part One: Ciarán Hancock is joined on the line by Dublin MEP Brian Hayes to discuss his call for the introduction of legislation to make it easier for mortgage holders to shop around for a more competitive rate of interest. He also gives his view on government formation and Irish Water. Part Two: Is there a kinder Irish budget in the offing for 2016? A projected €900 million surplus for government spending would suggest so. To discuss this and a round-up of all the recent business and economic news we are joined in studio by Economics Editor Arthur Beesley, Business Editor Cliff Taylor and Markets Corespondent Joe Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the implications of Brexit for Ireland and Europe? Is a serious economic shock possible? Might we see controls reappear on the border with Northern Ireland? Business leaders gathered in The Irish Times office this morning to hear economist and Irish Times columnist Professor John FitzGerald, London Editor Denis Staunton and Economics Editor Arthur Beesley discuss the positions of the Leave and Remain campaigns, the economic risks to Ireland and some possible scenarios if Britain opts out of Europe. They join Ciarán Hancock to continue the discussion on this week's podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.